USA Must Rediscover Intensity In Tuneup vs. Portugal: 'It's Nonnegotiable'

Win or lose, US coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to see more fight from his team ahead of the World Cup.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of red, white, and blue, depicting the dynamic movements and competing forces of a high-intensity soccer match between national teams.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes World Cup tuneup match between the US and Portugal, capturing the raw energy and intensity of the two teams clashing on the pitch.Marietta Today

As the US men's national team prepares to face Portugal in a World Cup tuneup match, coach Mauricio Pochettino is emphasizing the importance of intensity and effort after the team's lackluster performance in a recent loss to Belgium. Pochettino wants to see the same level of fight and aggression that teams like France and Colombia displayed in their recent exhibition match, noting that intensity is 'nonnegotiable' for his squad ahead of the World Cup.

Why it matters

The US team has struggled with maintaining intensity in the past, including losses to regional rivals Panama and Canada last year. Pochettino has made rebuilding the team's mentality a priority since taking over, and this match against Portugal represents a crucial test of whether the players have rediscovered their fighting spirit ahead of the World Cup.

The details

In Monday's press conference, Pochettino became animated when asked about the team's intensity, using the recent France-Colombia match as an example of the kind of effort he expects. He noted that even in a loss, the Colombian team played 'like this was the final of the World Cup,' forcing France to match their intensity. In contrast, the US 'all but folded up shop' when falling behind Belgium by two goals on Saturday. Captain Tim Ream acknowledged that maintaining that level of effort for the full 90 minutes has been an issue, but said it's a 'nonnegotiable' that the team must rediscover.

  • The US lost 5-2 to Belgium on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • The US will face Portugal in a World Cup tuneup match on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Mauricio Pochettino

The head coach of the US men's national team, who previously managed clubs like Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in Europe.

Tim Ream

The captain of the US men's national team.

Matt Turner

The goalkeeper for the US men's national team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you watched the game [between] France and Colombia, that is intensity. You can win or you can lose. But do you think the coach of Colombia, [despite] losing the game, is going to complain about [the effort of] some players? They played like this was the final of the World Cup. And France, when they saw the intensity and the aggression of Colombia, said, 'If we aren't as intense, they'll kill us.' That is intensity.”

— Mauricio Pochettino, US Men's National Team Head Coach

“It's a conscious decision. It's just an overall effort. It's not that guys don't want to do it. I think sometimes it's like ,'I've just made an effort,' and now it's about making the second, the third, the fourth. And sometimes, that doesn't happen. That's something that's a nonnegotiable, really. It's something that we were doing really well in the fall last year. And it's something we have to get back to.”

— Tim Ream, US Men's National Team Captain

What’s next

The US team will face Portugal in a crucial World Cup tuneup match on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. A strong performance and rediscovery of their intensity will be crucial for the Americans as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

The takeaway

This match against Portugal represents a pivotal test for the US men's national team as they look to regain the fighting spirit that was lacking in their recent loss to Belgium. Rebuilding that mentality will be essential if the Americans hope to be competitive on the world stage at the 2026 World Cup.