The USMNT closed out the March 2026 international window with a 2-0 loss to Portugal at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino opted for goalkeeper Matt Freese, changed three defenders with Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, and moved Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris into the starting lineup. Francisco Trincao opened the scoring for Portugal in the 37th and Joao Felix doubled the lead in the 59th minute.

With this March window the first to allow extended substitutions, Pochettino made nine subs while Portugal coach Roberto Martínez substituted the maximum 11 players. Martinez’s changes included subbing goalkeeper Jose Sa for Ricardo Velho in the 86th minute.

Also on Tuesday, Turkey advanced to take the final spot in World Cup group D, joining the USA, Paraguay, and Australia. The United States returns to action in the World Cup warmup friendlies on May 31 against Senegal in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago.

Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. Portugal
Date: March 31, 2026
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta, GA
Attendance: 72,297
Kickoff: 7pm ET
Weather: Indoors

Scoring Summary 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
POR 1 1 2

POR – Francisco Trincao (Bruno Fernandes) 37th minute
POR – Joao Felix (Bruno Fernandes) 59

Lineups:
USA: 24-Matt Freese, 16-Alex Freeman (7-Gio Reyna, 79), 3-Chris Richards (capt.), 2-Auston Trusty (22-Mark McKenzie, 90+1), 5-Antonee Robinson (18-Max Arfsten, 46); 14-Sebastian Berhalter (11-Brenden Aaronson, 79), 23-Aidan Morris (4-Cristian Roldan, 79); 21-Tim Weah (20-Folarin Balogun, 67), 8-Weston McKennie (6-Tanner Tessman, 45), 17-Malik Tillman (19-Joe Scally, 67); 10-Christian Pulisic (25-Patrick Agyemang, 46)
Substitutes not used: 1-Matt Turner, 26-Chris Brady, 27-Patrick Schulte, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 13-Tim Ream
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino

POR: 12-Jose Sa (1-Ricardo Velho, 85), 2-Diogo Dalot (6-Matheus Nunes, 46), 3-Tomas Araujo (4-Antonio Silva, 46), 14-Goncalo Inacio (13-Renato Veiga, 70), 20-Joao Cancelo (25-Nuno Mendes, 46); 5-Samu Costa (24-Ricardo Horta, 46), 23-Vitinha (21-Ruben Neves, 46); 16-Francisco Trincao (26-Francisco Conceição, 46), 8-Bruno Fernandes (capt.) (11-Mateus Fernandes, 85), 18-Pedro Neto (10-Joao Felix, 46); 9-Goncalo Ramos (17-Paulinho, 61)
Substitutes not used: 22-Rui Silva, 7-Goncalo Guedes, 15-Joao Neves, 19-Pedro Goncalves
Head coach: Roberto Martinez

Stats Summary: USA / POR
Shots: 12 / 11
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 8
Fouls: 15 / 6
Offsides: 2 / 1

Misconduct Summary
POR – Joao Cancelo (Caution) 34th minute
USA – Christian Pulisic (Caution) 45+3

Officials:
Referee: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Assistant 1: Eduard Beitinger (GER)
Assistant 2: Dominik Schaal (GER)
Fourth Official: Harm Osmers (GER)
VAR 1: Benjamin Pineda (CRC)
VAR 2: Roy Acuna (CRC)

Photo by Robin Alam – ISIPhotos.com