Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal secure 2-0 win over the USMNT in Atlanta

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With goals by Francisco Trincao and Joao Felix, Portugal secure the win in Atlanta against a USMNT that will have to work a lot towards the next friendlies to be able to get to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a better rythm.

Neves fires a crossed shot inside the USMNT's box, but Freese answers correctly and deflects the ball to send it to corner kick. The American goalkeeper has been a factore to maintain only two goals against.

After several whistles against the USMNT, fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium have had enough and are already leaving the venue after a poor performance by the Basr and Stripes.

Cameras have caught Mauricio Pochettino in multiple times discussing with referees about potential fouls by Portugal's players. He is clearly not comfortable with the performance of his team.

Agyemang, who was subbed in at half, tried a solo play on the left side of the field, surpassed a defender and sent a cross, but the ball gets deflected and sent to corner. Agyemang trying something different to seek a goal that gets the USMNT closer in the score.

Portugal keep trying to secure ball posession and are not lettimg the United States to control it, with a lot of work in the midfield to avoid any surprise from the USMNT.

Just as in the first half, there is another cooling break in this game. WHile temperatures are not too high in Atlanta currently, this is a test for how the FIFA World cup will work with these pauses.

Neves appears outside the box and fires a long shot to make Freese move to his right side, dive, and avoid the thrid goal of the night.

Joao Felix, who entered the game for this second half, received a cross in a corner kick, stopped the ball with his chest and then fired a powerful shot through all the players inside the United States' box to beat Freese and score the second goal for Portugal.

The USMNT is trying to open Portugal's defense through the speed of its attackers, with long passes jumping the lines and counter attacks, but no clear chances have appeared in this second half yet.

Both teams have made several changes for this second half, which has produced less danger on both goals with all the new players adapting to the rythm of the game.

The second half in Atlanta has started! Can the USMNT come from behind to win the game or will Portugal maintain the advantage to return home with at least one victory? Let's find out!

The referee marks the end of the first half, where a goal by Trincao is giving Portugal the lead against a USMNT that has not been consistent against Jose Sa's goal. A thrilling second half is expected!

Frustration has hit the USMNT. Pulisic had a great chance in a counter attack, but loses the ball to Araujo and then kicks him without any chance of fighting for the ball. The referee sees this clearly and shows the yellow card to the American winger.

In a corner kick, Pulisic crosses the ball, but is deflected by Portugal's defense. However, the ball ends with Tillman, who tries his luck with a long shot that goes just above Jose Sa's goal.

The United States are trying to have a quick response to Portugal's goal, but the rival's defense has stopped all the attacks led by McKennie, Weah, and Pulisic.

Trincao receives the ball from Fernandes inside USMNT's box and he shoots towards Freese's far post to score the first goal of the night!

After the cooling break, Portugal have completely taken over the posession of the ball, but still no clear chances have arrived for Martinez's side.

As the weather during the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to have temperatures over 32°C/89°F, both nations agreed to have a cooling break such as there will be in the tournament. The game has restarted and three minutes will be added for this break.

Sebastian Berhalter took the ball outside Portugal's box and tried his luck with a long shot, but Jose Sa flies to avoid the first goal of the night!

The USMNT is trying to beat Portugal's defense by jumping lines with long passes from its own defense to the attackers, but the Europeans are reading this plan correctly.

The European side has taken posession of the ball and has warned Freese with some dangerous crosses, but these have not found a head to connect the ball and send it into the USMNT's net.

Bruno Fernandes with a crossed shot tried to defeat Freese, but the American goalkeeper answers quickly and sends the ball to corner kick. Portugal want an early goal too.

Pulisic entered the box and received a ball near Jose Sa's net, but his shot is deflected by Vitinha and sent to corner kick. It is a good start by the USMNT.

A couple mistakes from Portugal's defense gave the ball to the USMNT near their goal, with Tillman trying the first shot but is correctly stopped by Jose Sa.

The game has started and you can follow all the actions live in this play-by-play. Do not miss anything!

After losing 2-5 to Belgium, the USMNT will try to end this international break with a win against a Portugal team that drew 0-0 with Mexico last Saturday.

Roberto Martinez, manager of Portugal, has made several changes from the game against Mexico to this one, and this one could be closer to what he is expected to present in the first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Portugal's starting XI: Jose Sa, Diogo Dalot, Tomas Araujo, Goncalo Inacio, Joao Cancelo, Vitinha, Samu Costa, Bruno Fernandes, Francisco Trincao, Pedro Neto, Goncalo Ramos.

The United States have confirmed their starting lineup, with Mauricio Pochetinno putting the best names from the beginning to seek the victory.

USMNT's starting XI: Matt Freese, Auston Trusty, Chris Richards (capt.), Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Aidan Morris.

One of the biggest questions for fans is why is Cristiano Ronaldo not playing today? Well, the striker is still recovering from an injury that also sidelined him for Portugal's game against Mexico last Saturday.

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host this exciting game between the United States and Portugal. This is the home of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL and Atlanta United in the MLS, one of the venues that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The United States face Portugal in what is set to be an exciting match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Can the Bars and Stripes defeat the European side after their terrible loss to Belgium? Let's find out!