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Pochettino's Bold Experiment: USMNT Faces Portugal Without a Striker
1 Apr
Summary
- USMNT experimented with a striker-less formation against Portugal.
- Several players showed mixed performances in the final World Cup roster selection match.
- Christian Pulisic's struggles continued, impacting his end product.
The recent friendly against Portugal marked the final 90 minutes for players to impress coach Mauricio Pochettino before he finalizes the 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a bold tactical move, Pochettino deployed a starting lineup without a natural striker, despite having three available on the roster.
Goalkeeper Freese delivered an exceptional save early on, but the defense showed moments of weakness. Auston Trusty made a key mistake on Portugal's opening goal, while Chris Richards stood out as the team's best defender, organizing the backline effectively. Antonee Robinson was withdrawn at halftime, still recovering from injury.
In midfield, Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris showed good chemistry, with Berhalter taking a strong long-range shot. However, forwards Tim Weah and Malik Tillman failed to capitalize on opportunities, with Tillman largely invisible for much of the first half.
Weston McKennie, though somewhat out of position in the striker-less formation, grew into the game, creating chances. Christian Pulisic, however, continued his goal drought, struggling significantly with his end product and decision-making. His frustrations led to a yellow card, and he was also substituted at halftime, a planned move to protect him.
