The Japan Times - Portugal down US 2-0 as World Cup hosts again fail to shine

Manchester United playmaker Fernandes had two assists, setting up Francisco Trincao with a cool backheel, before finding a totally unmarked Joao Felix on the edge of the box from a corner to double the lead.

For the US, who will co-host the World Cup with Mexico and Canada, it was a second underwhelming loss in three days at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, after a 5-2 thrashing by Belgium at the weekend.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino's experiment of playing Christian Pulisic in a false nine despite his recent goal drought fizzled out as the US talisman missed a host of first-half chances before being substituted at the break.

Pochettino was left with more questions than answers from his final game before he names the co-hosts' finals squad in May.

Seeking to prove they can match top-tier European opposition after the Belgium loss, the US team had started brightly on Tuesday.

Given license to rampage forward in the absence of striker Folarin Balogun, Pulisic shot from a narrow angle in the game's sixth minute, but his tame effort was easily blocked by Vitinha.

A minute later Portugal had their first chance. Fernandes latched onto a through ball and forced a superb save from Matt Freese, who was back in the team after rival keeper Matt Turner replaced him at the weekend.

Timothy Weah sent in a dangerous cross for Pulisic midway through the half. But Pulisic, who has yet to score for AC Milan in 2026, and has not found the net for the US since 2024, totally failed to connect with the ball.

A better Pulisic effort from 25 yards flashed just wide of the post, before Fernandes -- played through with an incisive Vitinha pass -- cleverly backheeled it to Trincao, who slotted home.

In the final moments of the first half, Pulisic found himself in a one-on-one race with Henrique Araujo, but could not get past the defender and earned himself a booking for lashing out after being dispossessed.

Pulisic was among three half-time changes as Pochettino reverted to a more traditional formation with the arrival of Derby County striker Patrick Agyemang, who had scored at the weekend against Belgium.

The Portguese made seven substitutions of their own. It did not appear to upset their rhythm. An improved US defense anchored by the returning Chris Richards began to tire, and the Europeans' lead soon doubled.

Fernandes pinged a corner to Felix, who somehow had time to control the ball, let it bounce and loop up for a volley, which he buried in the bottom left corner of the goal.

A string of further substitutions from both sides slowed down the game, though Freese was forced into two more excellent saves.

He dived to deflect a blistering long range from Ruben Neves, and managed another great outstretched save off Francisco Conceicao in stoppage time.

It was an eighth defeat in a row for the US against European sides.

The World Cup kicks off in less than three months, on June 11, where the US will face Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in the group stage.

H.Nakamura--JT