Let’s try this again.
After an even first half gave way to a disastrous second half on Saturday against Belgium, the United States men’s national team goes again on Tuesday night in a primetime showdown with a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The next time we see the USMNT on the pitch after it meets with Seleção das Quinas, it will be after Mauricio Pochettino reveals his roster for the 2026 World Cup.
The big news going into this one will be the health of Chris Richards, who declared himself healthy to play after missing the Belgium game. But as Richards enters the fray, another player heads back to be with his club. Johnny Cardoso, who would have been out anyway due to yellow-card accumulation, has headed back to Atlético Madrid with a knee injury.
So who will get the starting assignments on Tuesday? Against Belgium, Pochettino elected to go to his bench after the hour mark, and I’d expect that a number of the players that were brought in as substitutes on Saturday will start on Tuesday. Yes, I’m aware those words may haunt the readers of this particular post who may be in the “MLS is bad for the USMNT camp.” And, yes, the MLSers didn’t cover themselves in glory on Saturday, but…you know what, I’m not opening up that debate. Let’s just hope for better soccer on Tuesday.
Ironically, Portugal is led by Roberto Martinez, the head coach of Belgium during the Red Devils’ last World Cup appearance in 2022. He, of course, was fired after they crashed out in the group stage. Even without Ronaldo, Portgual’s roster features some players you may have heard of: Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Neves (PSG)…the list goes on. They’re pretty good. And, with Group K of the World Cup on Atlanta’s side of the bracket, don’t be surprised to see them, along with Ronaldo this time, back at the Benz on July 15 for a World Cup semifinal.
USMNT vs. Portugal head-to-head
This will be the eighth meeting between the U.S. and Portugal, with the series deadlock at 2W-2L-3D. The last time they played each other was on Nov. 14, 2017, a 1-1 draw that saw Weston McKennie score his first international goal in his first cap with the senior team.
The USMNT is actually unbeaten in its last four matches against Portugal (2W-0L-2D).
How to watch, live stream, and listen to the USMNT vs. Portugal
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
TV channels: TNT and TruTV (English); Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
Streaming: HBO Max (English), Peacock (Spanish)
Live audio: Westwood One Sports (English), Futbol de Primera (Spanish)
USMNT lineup vs. Portugal
Portugal lineup vs. USA
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Wonder if Miles Robinson will be healthy enough to play. I hope he makes the team; he would have started for us the last WC if not for the knee injury. I hope for his sake that doesn’t turn out to be his one shot.
He was ruled out for both matches on Friday
Ah that’s too bad. I read that his groin injury was characterized by the coach as “very minor” so I thought there might be a chance he’d get to play.