USMNT v Portugal live - Updates and analysis from international friendly

The Guardian • March 31, 2026 • sports

Key Points:

The US Men's National Team (USMNT) lineup for the match includes Matt Freese as goalkeeper, with a backline of Antonee Robinson, Auston Trusty, Chris Richards, and Alex Freeman, marking the first time Richards and Trusty have played together for the USMNT.
Turkey secured a 1-0 victory over Kosovo in their playoff, becoming the final team in the US World Cup group, meaning the US will have faced all three group opponents in friendlies before the tournament.
The USMNT faced challenges in recent matches, including a 5-2 loss to Belgium and a sense of disjointed play, with key players like Christian Pulisic expected to lead the attack amid questions about the striker position.
The match environment at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was notably mixed, with a crowd divided in support and a challenging atmosphere for the US team compared to previous games against European opponents.
Several players from Pochettino’s initial squad selection did not start, including notable names like Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, and Ricardo Pepi, highlighting ongoing competition for spots ahead of the World Cup.

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