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The USMNT will be looking for an instant response to a humbling defeat to Belgium on Saturday, as they host Portugal in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday in another testing friendly.
WATCH — USMNT v Portugal
Mauricio Pochetitno's USMNT took the lead against Belgium but then let in five goals and eventually lost 5-2 after an extremely disappointing defensive display. A few months ahead of kicking off their 2026 World Cup on home soil, the heavy defeat to Belgium taught us that this young U.S. side are still some way off where they need to be. This friendly against a hugely-talented Portugal side will test their resilience and bouncebackability further.
MORE — Pochettino’s Plan B fails, so what is Plan C?
As for Roberto Martinez and Portugal, they drew 0-0 against Mexico in Mexico City on Saturday. The European powers have an incredible array of midfield and attacking talents to call upon and Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao aren't even in this squad. Portugal are tipped to go far in the World Cup this summer and are extremely capable of delivering another heavy defeat for Pochettino to mull over.
MORE — USMNT player ratings vs Belgium
For live updates and highlights throughout USMNT vs Portugal, check out PST's live blog coverage below.
USA vs Portugal live updates – by Andy Edwards
USA vs Portugal live score: 0-0
Goalscorers: None
USMNT starting XI
Freese – Freeman, Richards, Trusty, Robinson – Morris, Berhalter, McKennie – Tillman, Pulisic, Weah
Portugal starting XI
Sa – Dalot, Araujo, Inacio, Cancelo – Costa, Vitinha, Fernandes – Trincao, Neto, Ramos
How to watch USMNT vs Portugal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time:7pm ET Tuesday (March 31)
Venue:Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
TV Channel: Universo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock (en Espanol)
USMNT team news, focus
With center backs Chris Richards and Miles Robinson struggling with injury, Robinson is out but Richards has all of a sudden made himself available against Portugal on Tuesday. That should allow Pochettino to switch to a 3-4-3 formation, which he had plenty of success with in 2025, and it will make the USMNT stronger on defending counter attacks. The likes of Brenden Aaronson, Auston Trusty, Ricardo Pepi, Matt Freese and Aidan Morris could all start and Pochettino will be looking for his side to keep the ball better and be less stretched defensively on the counter.
Portugal team news, focus
Martinez will likely rotate his side but key players like Ruben Neves, Joao Felix and Nuno Mendes could all start again after playing 45 minutes against Mexico. Bruno Fernandes may not start as he played 77 minutes against Mexico, while Joao Neves, Diogo Dalot, Pedro Neto and Vitinha could all start after being on the bench at the weekend. With Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Rafael Leao not even in this squad, you start to understand just how stacked Portugal are.
USMNT vs Portugal prediction
Even though this is a friendly, it feels like a big moment for Pochettino's USMNT project. They will make this game a lot tighter but Portugal's attacking quality will shine through. USMNT 0-2 Portugal.
