April 1 (UPI) — United States forward Christian Pulisic’s goal tally for club and country was reduced to 20 games in total as Atlanta lost to Portugal.
Pulisic, the active leader in career goals for the U.S. men’s national team, had three shots on goal in Tuesday’s 2-0 friendly loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
advertise
Portugal won without stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva. More than 72,000 fans attended the game.
“Obviously we are disappointed with the result,” Pulisic said on TNT broadcast. “But, to be honest, I took a lot of positives from it. I thought we were closer than we looked…I still feel positive and have a lot of confidence in this team.”
Pulisic last scored for Team USA in November 2024, and with Tuesday’s loss, he extended that streak to eight games. He has also failed to score in his past 12 games for Italian Serie A club AC Milan.
U.S. men’s national team forward Christian Pulisic (center) dribbles between Portuguese defenders during an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday. Photo: Mike Zarrilli/UPI
“My body feels really good, I feel really sharp and I’m doing a lot of good things,” Pulisic said. “I have to help my team create assists, score goals and create chances.
advertise
“Obviously, I get frustrated when I don’t do that, but I feel like I’m close and I feel like good things are coming.”
Fans of the U.S. men’s national team chant during an international friendly against Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday. Photo: Mike Zarrilli/UPI
The United States defeated Portugal 12-11 but had only three shots on target compared to their opponents’ five. Portugal has a 61.6% to 38.4% advantage in possession time.
Francisco Trincao opened the scoring in the 37th minute and winger Joao Felix beat U.S. goalkeeper Matthew Freese in the 59th minute. Midfielder Bruno Fernandez assisted on both goals.
Forward Tim Weah shoots for the U.S. Men’s National Team in an international friendly against Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday. Photo: Mike Zarrilli/UPI
Pulisic, who received a yellow card in stoppage time in the first half, did not play in the second half.
advertise
“Yes, he’s frustrated, but that’s what we want, what we expect,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters. “He’s fighting. He’s contributing in phases where we’re asking for more and then with the ball, he’s going to score because he’s capable.
U.S. men’s national team midfielder Brenden Aaronson dribbles the ball during an international friendly against Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday. Photo: Mike Zarrilli/UPI
“I’m sure he will return to his club and the moment he scores, he will score again.”
The United States, which lost 5-2 to Belgium on Saturday, will play Senegal in another friendly on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Charlotte, North Carolina. They will face Germany in their final friendly before the 2026 World Cup on June 6 in Chicago.
advertise
The United States will play Paraguay in their World Cup Group D match on June 12 in Inglewood, California. Pochettino will announce his World Cup squad on May 26.
AC Milan (18-3-9) will face Napoli (19-6-5) in a Serie A match in Naples on Monday. The Rossoneri are ranked second in the Serie A standings, 6 points behind first place Inter Milan (22 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses). Napoli is only one point behind AC Milan and seven points behind Inter Milan.
