Mauricio Pochettino: USMNT ‘Little Details’ Away From Top-10 European Opponents | OneFootball

ATLANTA – Between the spirited, full-capacity stadium and high level of competition, the atmosphere at the two U.S. Men’s National Team matches in March was excitingly reminiscent of a FIFA World Cup. Droves of soccer fans gathered in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United in MLS. The attendance of 66,867 on Saturday, Marcy 28 and 72,297 on Tuesday, March 31 showed the best of what soccer in America has to offer.

On the pitch, the USMNT faced two of the best teams in the world – ninth-ranked Belgium and sixth-ranked Portugal. The Americans showed in significant stretches the ability to match the level of their opponent. USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie opened the scoring against Belgium in a first half the U.S. dominated. On Tuesday, the Stars & Stripes created several good scoring chances, outshooting the Portuguese 8-3 in the first half, but two skillful strikes from Portugal decided the match.

“I am more positive now than before because seeing the team compete, we are not far away,” USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the loss to Portugal. “It's only details that we need to improve. When we match the opponent in the areas that we need to match, we are going to have the possibility to beat them.”

In the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the USMNT has faced only quality sides. All eight of the team’s opponents since the USA’s run to the Concacaf Gold Cup final are bound for the World Cup in June. Seven of those eight (Portugal, Belgium, Japan, Uruguay, Ecuador, Korea Republic, Australia) are ranked in the top 30 of FIFA.

In that stretch, the U.S. Men’s National Team collected a winning record, going 4W-3L-1D, including a five-match unbeaten streak capped by a 5-1 rout over then 14th-ranked Uruguay back in November.

It was an intentional choice from U.S. Soccer to schedule competitive opponents. These games aren’t “friendlies”, Pochettino and his players emphasized in camp; these games offer the best preparation and create high stakes for Pochettino’s players, all of whom at this point are fighting for a spot on his 26-player World Cup roster, which will be announced May 26.

“We decided to bring this type of opponent because we wanted to play against good teams, teams that can show our reality,” the head coach said. “What we wanted was to compete in our best way. Training, tactics. How we train all this week is [about] trying to create all the good dynamics between the whole group, not only the 11 players who are going to play.”

Belgium and Portugal offered an even higher standard of play as two of the top 10 teams in the world. Belgium hasn’t lost since March 2025, and Portugal is coming off defeating Spain to claim the UEFA Nations League title. They feature renowned stars such as Napoli midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City forward Jérémy Doku.

Pochettino and his players agreed they don’t shy away from going toe-to-toe with the best.

“I think we should play more games [like this],” Pochettino said. “Because even if it's painful, it's the only way to improve. It’s the only way to learn. It’s the only way to see how these top players and teams compete.”

“You want to play against the best players in the world,” USMNT defender Auston Trusty said. “Every opportunity you get, individually and also as a team collectively, to play against the highest level, that’s what you want.”

Gaining experience against European teams will help the U.S. Men’s National Team as it gears up to host the World Cup. If the USMNT wants to make it to New York City for the World Cup Final, it will have to get through some top-European opponents, starting in their own group.

Earlier this week, Türkiye locked in the fourth spot in Group D with a win over Kosovo in the UEFA Playoffs, solidifying a matchup against the U.S. on June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium in the group stage of the World Cup. Like the USMNT’s March opponents, Türkiye is a strong side. The Crescent Stars have gone unbeaten in their previous six matches, including a 2-2 draw against the world’s No. 2 ranked team, Spain.

“The important thing is to play this type of game, like we are going to play against Germany and Senegal,” Pochettino said. “It’s going to be really, really important for us.”

Senegal and Germany, both World Cup-bound, are the final two opponents the USMNT will face in non-official matches before the World Cup. First, the U.S. faces Senegal on May 31 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C, then meets four-time World Cup winner Germany in the Coca-Cola Send-Off Match at Soldier Field in Chicago.

After that, the USMNT flies to Los Angeles, where its World Cup run begins. Until then, there is film to watch, players to assess, opponents to study, a roster to select and little details to sure up.

“We are so close to the World Cup,” Pochettino said Tuesday. “But I think we are intelligent enough to know what we need to do.”