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USA v Portugal: Line-ups, stats and preview for international friendly

The USA host Portugal tomorrow night. Read our in-depth preview here...

Written by Jon Fisher
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USA v Portugal: Line-ups, stats and preview for international friendly

The USA will hope to bounce back from their humbling defeat to Belgium when they take on Portugal in Atlanta tomorrow night.

The States were thrashed 5-2 by the Red Devils on Saturday in what was a demoralising result and performance given they went into the game with confidence rising following a five-match unbeaten run that included impressive victories over Japan and Uruguay.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino did his utmost to focus on the positives afterwards, highlighting his side’s first-half performance in particular.

And he will be eager for his side to produce a more uplifting display against the Portuguese in what is their last game before he names his squad for the World Cup which the States host alongside Canada and Mexico.

USA international footballer Timothy Weah playing football for the United States of America, standing in a stadium wearing a blue football shirt with black details and the letters USA visible on the front

Reflecting on the Belgium game, he said: “It’s only a game. It’s only a game that nothing [went] for us. Disappointed with the result, but seeing the performance, we cannot say [any individual player] didn’t perform.”

Portugal will also be looking for an improved display after a uneventful goalless draw with Mexico on Saturday.

Boss Roberto Martinez made seven changes at half-time as he looked to assess the bulk of his squad but neither XI could find a breakthrough with Portugal looking short of attacking threat with Cristiano Ronaldo absent.

Former Portugal goalkeeper Beto is looking for better against the US but believes the conditions in Atlanta will be more favourable than they were at altitude in Mexico City.

“The altitude influences more [than people realise],” he told Record. “It is important to adapt to the environment in the stadium and to the crowd which will be rooting for the home team.

“In theory, the United States is not at the level of Portugal, but they can match them in physical and motivational terms. Often, these details make the difference in a World Cup given the small margins.”

Beto, who was a part of the squad that competed at the World Cup in 2010, 2014 and 2018, is confident Martinez’s side will head back to the US in just over two months’ time as genuine contenders to lift the trophy.

He added: “Portugal has one of the best squads and it would be a crime not to assume that it has the conditions to be world champions. There are several teams that want the same and can equal us in talent. If Portugal stands out in desire, will and belief, I believe it can make history.”

Team news for USA v Portugal

Martinez is set to shuffle his pack and hand starts to several players who came on against Mexico.

That will mean the likes of Vitinha, Pedro Neto, Joao Cancelo and Joao Neves are included in the XI.

Ronaldo and Manchester City duo Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva are injured. 

The US are without Tyler Adams, Haji Wright and Sergino Dest.

Portugal defender Joao Cancelo

Predicted line-ups for USA v Portugal

United States: Turner; Weah, Richards, McKenzie, Robinson; Tessmann, Roldan; Pulisic, McKennie, Reyna; Pepi

Portugal: Silva; Dalot, Inacio, Veiga, Cancelo; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, M Fernandes, Felix; Ramos

Where to watch USA v Portugal: TV and online streams

The USA versus Portugal kicks off at midnight UK time tomorrow night. You can watch it on Premier Sports 2.

In the US, it is available in English on TNT, HBO Max, TruTV and Peacock. In Spanish, it can be watched on Telemundo and Universo.

Stats for USA v Portugal

  • Portugal have failed to score in two of their last three games
  • Portugal have not lost to a CONCACAF team since 2002
  • The US have not lost any of their previous four games against Portugal

Prediction for USA v Portugal

USA

1 – 1

Portugal

Neither Pochettino nor Martinez have truly convinced they are the best men for the jobs.

And with so many changes expected – particularly for Portugal – we feel this could be a drab affair.

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