USMNT Falls 2-0 to Portugal in Friendly Match, Pulisic Receives Low Rating

atlanta, usa - The United States men's national team faces a 2-0 defeat against Portugal in a friendly, with Christian Pulisic scoring a 3/10 rating for his performance as a striker.

USMNT Loses 2-0 to Portugal in Friendly Match

The United States men's national team suffered a 2-0 loss to Portugal in a friendly match held at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite a competitive start, the U.S. failed to capitalize on opportunities, leading to goals from Francisco Trincão and João Félix for Portugal.

Christian Pulisic's Struggles

Christian Pulisic, playing as a striker, received a low rating of 3/10 for his performance. Pulisic missed several chances and showed poor decision-making throughout the game, extending his scoreless streak for the USMNT dating back to 2024.

Player Ratings

Among the standout performers for the U.S. were Alex Freeman with a rating of 7, and Patrick Agyemang who scored a 7 after coming on as a substitute. Matt Freese made notable saves in goal, earning a rating of 6. However, the team's overall performance fell short, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino faced criticism for starting Pulisic as a striker and experimenting with the lineup in the final game before the World Cup roster announcement. The U.S. will now focus on final preparations for the upcoming tournament in May.