On the eve of the United States men’s national team’s 2-0 defeat by Portugal, manager Mauricio Pochettino indicated his potential intent to implement strategic adjustments aimed at assisting star forward Christian Pulisic in concluding a prolonged goal-scoring dry spell and rekindling his diminished self-assurance.
He remarked, “Possibly, we can bring him a touch nearer to the target.”
The manager was articulating directly. Pulisic was deployed as a central striker on Tuesday, benefiting from well-known teammates Weston McKennie and Tim Weah supplying him with passes. He was passed the ball more frequently than any other U.S. forward during the initial half, engaging in seven challenges on the ground, the highest among the squad. However, he prevailed in merely one of those duels, and despite compelling Portugal’s goalkeeper, José Sá, to make a pair of stops, he remained without a goal yet again.
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This marked Pulisic’s eighth successive national team fixture remaining scoreless, constituting the most extended barren spell of his professional journey. By the time he receives another chance, a minimum of 18 months will have elapsed since his last U.S. goal. Growing agitated as the initial half progressed, the AC Milan star accrued two infractions and was cautioned before the interval. He was substituted off after 45 minutes.
Following the contest, Pulisic commented, “We managed to generate opportunities, and if I convert those chances, which I’m confident I will, then the outcome would alter somewhat.”
Pulisic’s difficulties – coupled with a 37th-minute Portuguese goal stemming from a loss of possession by McKennie and a flawless exchange of passes from Vitinha to Bruno Fernandes to Francisco Trincão – eclipsed an otherwise commendable first-half display. During this period, the U.S. registered eight attempts on goal compared to Portugal’s three, producing 0.45 xG against Portugal’s 0.26. The U.S. squad had also accumulated more incursions into the penalty area.
Neither side had commenced the match with their full preferred starting eleven, yet in the second half, Portugal’s significant squad depth became strikingly evident. While Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), and Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) were introduced for the U.S., Portugal’s manager Roberto Martinez had the luxury of bringing in Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), João Félix (Al Nassr), and Francisco Conceição (Juventus), among other talents.
Mendes, recognized as one of the finest fullbacks on the left flank globally, swiftly challenged Alex Freeman on the Americans’ right side. After Freeman yielded a corner kick, an unmarked João Félix rifled in Portugal’s second goal — both assisted by Fernandes — during the 59th minute. By that juncture, the contest was virtually decided.
The global fixture period in March, preceding a World Cup, stands as a distinctly unusual occurrence. The U.S. arranged encounters with two formidable opponents, Belgium and Portugal, fully aware that the outcomes would exert considerable influence on opinions and storylines leading up to the summer. It’s reasonable to assert that two defeats by an aggregate score of 7-2 will unquestionably shape discussions throughout the forthcoming weeks.
Concurrently, there’s a rationale behind Portugal’s head coach Martinez having deemed March’s squad evaluations “insignificant” earlier in the week. Nevertheless, with several potential World Cup starters sidelined by slight ailments and numerous squad positions yet to be secured, Pochettino required additional observations from many of the 24 players who participated across the two matches. So, what did he discern?
Malik Tillman generated five scoring opportunities in 138 minutes, dividing his minutes between a playmaking position (against Belgium) and the left flank (against Portugal). He registered merely two attempts on goal personally, however, directing one on target.
McKennie netted from a dead-ball situation against Belgium and had another prime opportunity early against Portugal, misdirecting it off target. He appeared less incisive in the second match, and his loss of possession in the middle third instigated Portugal’s opening score.
Defender Auston Trusty featured for nearly the full duration against Portugal and prevailed in five out of seven contests. He was largely composed when not in possession, though one could argue he receded excessively deep on Portugal’s first goal, allowing Trincão an unobstructed shooting opportunity.
Following difficulties as a right-sided defender against Jérémy Doku and Belgium, Weah emerged as the team’s most potent offensive threat against Portugal, executing six forward runs with the ball (the highest among the squad) and delivering two menacing centers.
Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter received significant chances, commencing against a formidable Portuguese central unit. Morris, recognized as one of the top performers in individual contests within the squad, secured two challenges and executed seven defensive actions, with each player completing four forward-driving passes.
Freeman featured for 79 minutes on Tuesday and prevailed in four out of seven challenges, although he faced considerable difficulty against Nunes in the second half.
Agyemang was largely subdued against Portugal but represented a solitary highlight against Belgium, netting in the dying minutes.
Presently, nevertheless, the most significant takeaway stems from Pulisic. The 27-year-old has now played 14 fixtures for both his club and national side without a goal, marking his most extended goalless period since 2022.
Pulisic stated, “From a physical standpoint, I feel excellent, quite keen, and I’m performing many positive actions. My role is to contribute to my team by crafting assists, finding the net, and generating opportunities. Naturally, when I fail to achieve that, it’s disheartening, but I sense I’m nearing a breakthrough and anticipate positive developments.”
He will now rejoin his club in Milan as they endeavor to ascend from the runner-up position in Serie A.
Thus, two distinct squads are relying upon his rejuvenation of performance.