03/31/26 08:13:00
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03/31 20:12 CDT Portugal beats US 2-0 in World Cup warmup, Americans' 8th
straight loss to European opponents
Portugal beats US 2-0 in World Cup warmup, Americans' 8th straight loss to
European opponents
ATLANTA (AP) --- Francisco Trincao scored in the 37th minute, Joao Flix added
a goal in the 59th and Portugal beat the United States 2-0 in a friendly on
Tuesday night to deal the Americans their eighth consecutive defeat against
European opponents.
U.S. star Christian Pulisic was moved from a wing to the top of the attack but
failed to convert a pair of good scoring chances.
Pulisic, who played only the first half, is scoreless in eight national team
games dating to November 2024 and in 12 games with AC Milan since Dec. 28.
Preparing to co-host the World Cup, the U.S. has been outscored 22-6 during its
losing streak against Europe and is winless against the continent in 10 matches
since 2021.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino announces his World Cup roster on May 26, and
the Americans play their last warmups against Senegal five days later and
Germany on June 6. The Americans open the World Cup on June 12 against
Australia, face Paraguay a week later and close the first round vs. Turkey on
June 25.
Before a pro-US crowd of 72,297 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Portugal went ahead
after American midfielder Weston McKennie knocked a hard-to-control pass from
Alex Freeman to Vitinha, who played a through ball to Bruno Fernandes. As
defenders Chris Richards and Auston Trusty converged on the midfielder, he
dropped a backheel pass to Trincao, who took a touch and slotted it past Matt
Freese and inside the far post for his third international goal.
Flix scored his 12th international goal following Fernandes' corner kick. Left
unmarked just outside the penalty area, Flix sent a half-volley in on two
bounces off the far post.
Freese was back in goal after his streak of 12 straight starts ended when
former No. 1 goalkeeper Matt Turner played in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium.
Preparing for a World Cup group with Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Portugal
was missing captain Cristiano Ronaldo (hamstring).
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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