USMNT fall 2-0 to Portugal in final game before World Cup roster is named

• Christian Pulisic struggled in more attacking role

• Francisco Trincão opens scoring in first half

• US next plays Germany and Senegal before World Cup opener

The US men’s national team met Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday evening having spent the days leading up to the match preaching about intensity. Following a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Belgium on the weekend, players and coaches alike stressed the importance of showing well against Portugal, sixth in Fifa’s world rankings.

Instead, the US closed this window with another flat performance, undone by a talented Portuguese side that easily unlocked the US in front of a sellout crowd of 72,297. The 2-0 loss was the USMNT’s eighth consecutive defeat at the hands of a European opponent, a stretch that’s seen them outscored 22-6.