Portugal defeats US 2-0 in World Cup warmup

Americans suffer 8th straight loss to European opponents

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:34am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Portugal defeated the United States 2-0 in a friendly match on Tuesday night in Atlanta. Francisco Trincão scored in the 37th minute and João Félix added a goal in the 59th minute, handing the Americans their eighth consecutive defeat against European opponents.

Why it matters

The loss continues a concerning trend for the US men's national team, which has struggled to compete against top European sides in recent years. As the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup, these types of results raise questions about their ability to succeed on the global stage.

The details

Portugal dominated possession and chances throughout the match, outshooting the US 15-6. Trincão opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a well-placed shot, and Félix doubled the lead in the 59th minute with a clinical finish.

  • The match took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • It was a friendly warmup match ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The players

Francisco Trincão

A Portuguese forward who scored the opening goal for Portugal in the 37th minute.

João Félix

A Portuguese forward who scored the second goal for Portugal in the 59th minute.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have to learn from this experience and come back stronger. Playing against top European teams is crucial for our World Cup preparation.”

— Christian Pulisic, US Men's National Team Captain

What’s next

The US men's national team will continue their World Cup warmup matches, facing off against other top international opponents in the coming months.

The takeaway

The loss to Portugal highlights the ongoing challenge the US men's national team faces in competing with Europe's elite soccer powers. As they prepare for the World Cup, the Americans will need to find ways to close the gap and become more competitive against the continent's top teams.