USMNT player ratings vs Portugal: Back-to-back losses for USA

The March international break, a key staging post in the road to World Cup 2026, ended in disappointment for USMNT. Mauricio Pochettino’s side fell to a 2-0 loss against Portugal on Tuesday night, a second straight defeat for the US.

Expectations were tempered by Saturday’s 5-2 collapse against Belgium but there was little to get excited about for the US fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday. There were some early moments of quality from the United States, managing to fashion a few clear-cut chances in the first half. However Christian Pulisic could not convert either of his two early opportunities and Portugal gradually claimed control as the game wore on.

The first goal came from Francisco Trincão slotting home coolly after a deft backheel from Bruno Fernandes. Portugal doubled their lead on the hour-mark when Fernandes picked out João Felix with a corner kick and the Al Nassr forward arrowed the ball past Matt Freese.

A 2-0 loss to Portugal is no disgrace for the US but a pair of comprehensive defeats is not what Mauricio Pochettino would have hoped for the March break. Here’s a look at the top performers for USMNT in Tuesday’s defeat...

USMNT vs Portugal: Player ratings

Matt Freese - Came into the March camp as the favorite to be the USMNT No. 1 at the World Cup and did nothing to suggest that he will lose that status. Could do little with either goal and looked solid, if unspectacular, in possession. 7/10

Antonee Robinson - The Fulham left-back was one of six players to retain his place from Saturday’s loss and he showed why he is the undisputed starter in his position. Sharp on the ball and energetic in attack, essentially inhabiting the left flank on his own for much of the game. 7/10

Auston Trusty - Caught out of position by a clever Bruno Fernandes run in the first half which culminated in Francisco Trincao’s first-half goal. Relatively untroubled apart from that lapse. 5/10

Chris Richards - A full 90 minutes for the Crystal Palace defender, named as captain for the game. One of the US’ best performers on the night, combining a smoothness in possession with some dogged defending when required. 7/10

Alex Freeman - Did well to ensure that Pedro Neto couldn’t latch onto a looping cross midway through the first half. Showed his defensive quality with a diving challenge to dispossess Nuno Mendes early in the second half. 7/10

Aidan Morris - One of few players in this USMNT squad not to feature against Belgium, Morris came into the XI on Tuesday and showed his value from the start with tough tackles and tidy passing. Too slow to close down Joao Felix for Portugal’s second, a costly error against elite opponents. 6/10

Sebastian Berhalter - Given a chance from the start after a difficult substitute appearances against Belgium. Industrious, as always, and his corner kick delivery is a real strength, but looked short on quality against top opposition. 5/10

Weston McKennie - One of the team’s best performers against Belgium, the Juventus midfielder had relatively a quiet 45 minutes as a roaming No. 10 against Portugal. Only played for the first half but linked well with Pulisic and has surely done enough to secure a starting berth at the World Cup. 6/10

Malik Tillman - Drifted inside from the left flank to form a fluid offensive trio alongside Pulisic and McKennie, combining well with them on occasion. Showed his quality on the ball but failed to deliver any real moments of quality that could have helped tilt the game in the USMNT’s favor. 6/10

Tim Weah - Back in his preferred spot on the right wing, Weah declined a couple of early opportunities to shoot but grew into the game and showed himself to be a good out-ball for the US. Withdrawn after 66 minutes, another solid performance from the wideman. 7/10

Christian Pulisic - Deployed as a false nine from the start but missed two glaring chances within the first half an hour, suggesting a real lack of confidence from the USMNT talisman. Kept at it and nearly found the back of the net with a low drive that crept just past the Portugal post, but subbed at halftime having failed to have made any real impact. 6/10

Substitutes

Patrick Agyemang - Given the whole second half against Portugal but only really managed one real moment, dancing past a Portugal defender to lay on a chance for Balogun. 6/10

Tanner Tessman - Another assured, if uneventful, outing for the Lyon midfielder. Did enough to suggest that he might be in pole position to partner Tyler Adams in Pochettino’s first-choice midfield pairing. 6/10

Max Arfsten - Allowed Conceicao a clear run on goal late on. Failed to have any real impact on the game in possession. 5/10

Folarin Balogun - Was unable to direct his effort on target after good work from Agyemang down the left flank. Peripheral during his substitute appearance. 5/10

Joe Scally - Slotted in at right back fairly comfortably. A solid option at right-back, if a little unambitious. 6/10

Brenden Aaronson - Made one driving run from the right flank but did little else to convince Pochettino that he is deserving of a bigger role in this team. 5/10

Gio Reyna - N/A

Cristian Roldan - N/A

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