The most recent friendly left more questions than answers for the United States.
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the team led by Mauricio Pochettino fell 2-5 to Belgium national football team at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The opening minutes showed a competitive version of the U.S. side. Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 39th minute, and for stretches, the tempo seemed to favor the home team. However, before halftime, Belgium found the equalizer and shifted the dynamic of the match.
The second half ultimately defined the outcome. Belgium increased the intensity, found spaces more easily, and took advantage of every defensive lapse to extend their lead. The United States, on the other hand, struggled to maintain continuity in its play and found it difficult to sustain its attacking sequences. In the final minutes, Patrick Agyemang scored the second goal, although the result had already been largely decided.
Beyond the final score, the match delivered a clear takeaway. The difficulty of maintaining a consistent level throughout the game once again stands out as an issue to address, especially in a year in which the team will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The challenge is not just to compete, but to do so with regularity and without lapses that can turn into significant gaps.
Next friendly
The next friendly arrives today, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, once again at home at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this time against Portugal. A different setting, with favorable conditions, but also with a different level of demand following a defeat like the previous one.
Portugal comes off a 0-0 draw against Mexico national football team in the reopening of the Estadio Banorte. The match was influenced by the altitude of Mexico City, which often affects tempo, recovery, and overall intensity. Even so, the scoreline also reflected a game in which chances were not fully converted.
An important challenge
Now, the context changes completely. In Atlanta, without the altitude factor, the pace tends to be more consistent, and physical conditions allow for a more balanced game. This opens the possibility for Portugal to be in a stronger position to compete, unlike what happened against Mexico, which presents an additional challenge for the United States.
The team needs to build confidence through what it produces on the field, create decisive actions, and maintain consistency throughout the match in order to stand out and take control.
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