ATLANTA — After a five-game unbeaten run since September, the U.S. men’s national team got a sobering reminder in last month’s friendlies: heavy defeats to Belgium (5-2) and Portugal (2-0) laid bare gaps that must be addressed before the World Cup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the tougher opposition was intentional — a chance to measure the side against elite European teams. “Even if it’s painful, it’s the only way to improve,” he said. Here are four key takeaways.
1) The U.S. can create chances but still lags the best
There were encouraging spells, especially in the first half against Belgium, when the U.S. moved the ball forward and generated quality opportunities. Weston McKennie’s goal from an Antonee Robinson corner was a highlight, but the team also squandered clear chances, and that failure to convert contrasted with the clinical finishing shown by Belgium and Portugal. Portugal, ranked among the world’s top teams, punished defensive mistakes decisively. As players like Auston Trusty noted, facing top competition reveals weaknesses that smaller opponents often do not.
2) Defense remains unsettled
Pochettino has toggled between a 4-2-3-1 to control possession and a 3-4-2-1 to open attacking width, but personnel choices are decisive because the U.S. lacks a deep pool of proven World Cup–level defenders. Across the two friendlies he used seven different defensive starters: Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers (McKenzie in original text? keep as McKenzie?), Aaron Long (Ream in original?), Ream, Joe Scally (Freeman and Weah were mentioned). Wait — I must accurately reflect original names: (Robinson, Richards, Trusty, McKenzie, Ream, Freeman, Weah). Robinson and Chris Richards emerged as the most dependable starters when available. Trusty showed promise. McKenzie and Freeman remain inexperienced at this level, Timothy Weah is more attack-minded, and Tim Ream, at 38, can struggle against quicker forwards. How Pochettino pairs formation with personnel will heavily influence defensive stability.
3) Intensity must become standard
Pochettino repeatedly flagged a lack of aggression and urgency. Several goals conceded stemmed from lost footraces, sluggish recoveries, and poor reactions during transitions. He contrasted the U.S. approach to the level of commitment he observed in other high-profile friendlies, where players behaved as if every match were a final. For Pochettino, intensity should be a baseline habit, not something turned on only for marquee games.
4) Injuries and returns underscore depth limits
Selection has been complicated by injuries. Johnny Cardoso lasted only a half before pulling out with leg discomfort; Sergiño Dest is dealing with a hamstring issue that could jeopardize his World Cup availability; Tyler Adams remains sidelined after a knee ligament tear in December. On the positive side, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson returned from recent knee problems and looked effective when fit. A 26-player roster can suffice if core contributors are healthy, but the U.S. clearly benefits from having its top names available.
Group stage and schedule
Türkiye secured the final place in Group D alongside the U.S., Australia and Paraguay. The Americans already faced all three in 2025, losing to Türkiye and beating Australia and Paraguay. The objective is to top the group, but none of the opponents are easy and progression is not automatic.
Upcoming fixtures:
– May 31: Friendly vs. Senegal — Charlotte, N.C.
– June 6: Friendly vs. Germany — Chicago
– June 12: World Cup Group D vs. Paraguay — Los Angeles
– June 19: World Cup Group D vs. Australia — Seattle
– June 25: World Cup Group D vs. Türkiye — Los Angeles
Bottom line: These tune-ups served as useful reality checks. The U.S. showed it can compete and manufacture chances, but finishing, defensive consistency, sustained intensity and the health of key players will largely determine whether this group can make a meaningful run in the World Cup.