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Bill Connelly
Multiple Authors
MARIETTA, Georgia — U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino is exploring tactical adjustments to revive star forward Christian Pulisic‘s scoring prowess.
The U.S. faces off against Portugal on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, following a disappointing 5-2 defeat to Belgium on Saturday where the team struggled to convert scoring opportunities.
Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun both saw their efforts thwarted by the impressive saves of Belgium’s Senne Lammens in the opening half, while Pulisic produced good chances in the 14th and 52nd minutes but couldn’t find the target.
Pochettino expressed both encouragement from the chances created and frustration over the lack of finishing quality, pointing to defensive lapses as a more significant concern.
“When you look at the stats, we had clear chances to score,” Pochettino stated. He noted that his lack of celebration after McKennie’s goal, which gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute, stemmed from this disappointment.
“My gut feeling was not good,” he reflected. “That should have been our third goal, not just the first.”
Pulisic registered three shots, none of which resulted in a goal, marking seven consecutive matches without finding the net for the national team. His last goal for the U.S. was against Jamaica in November 2024, and he has yet to score in 2026 for both club and country.
The former Chelsea forward last netted a competitive goal on December 28, and throughout his last 12 matches with AC Milan, he has made 29 attempts without success, tallying only one assist in that period.
After a promising start to the season, where Pulisic recorded six goals and two assists in his first seven matches, his progress was hindered by hamstring and knee injuries in early 2026.
Pochettino acknowledged the importance of maintaining intensity, even in friendly matches, while suggesting potential strategies to help Pulisic regain his scoring touch.
“We know Christian can score,” he remarked, contemplating changes to the lineup or Pulisic’s role to facilitate better goal-scoring opportunities.
“Perhaps we can assist him in getting closer to the goal,” Pochettino added, noting that no specific plan had been decided yet. “This is an idea I have after Saturday’s game.”
Despite the lost opportunities, defensive shortcomings and lapses in effort clearly contributed to the defeat.
“Up until we conceded the third goal, I felt we played well against Belgium,” said Pochettino. “After Christian’s significant chance in the box, we conceded their second goal. Then we created another opportunity with [Tim] Weah, and then we gave away a penalty. That was a tough moment for us.”
Belgium took the lead with a goal from Amadou Onana in the 53rd minute and extended their advantage to 3-1 through a Charles De Ketelaere penalty. Before the U.S. could create another opportunity, Dodi Lukebakio scored twice, bringing the score to 5-1.
Pochettino has previously voiced concerns about his team’s intensity, citing various instances mirroring the intensity he desires.
“Just watch the football,” Pochettino urged. “Observe the match between France and Colombia; that’s the kind of intensity we need.”
France triumphed over Colombia 3-1 in a friendly match outside Washington D.C.
“They played as if it were the World Cup final. France, seeing the intensity and aggression from Colombia, knew they had to raise their own level,” Pochettino remarked. “That is the kind of intensity we need. Do you think [France head coach Didier] Deschamps or [Colombia coach] Nestor Lorenzo told their players to be intense, or did you see passion and urgency from every single player?”
Pochettino expressed hope that the lessons learned from Saturday’s loss would lead to better performances in the future.
“I’m grateful for this experience because there’s still time to understand the need to compete,” he concluded. “[The match] between France and Colombia wasn’t just a ‘friendly’. It was fiercely competitive. The players need to recognize that pressure. Without that belief, what are we doing here?”