Just before the game began in Atlanta, a unique spectacle unfolded at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Miniature parachutes descended from the stadium’s roof, each carrying a small gift, eagerly caught by fans below.

Over the ensuing 90 minutes, Portugal delivered a stark lesson to the US Men’s National Team (USMNT): elite teams don’t offer freebies. Against a European giant and certainly at the World Cup, everything must be earned through effort and skill.

In just four days, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad faced off against two of soccer’s elite teams. While they demonstrated the ability to challenge these formidable opponents, the results were less than favorable. Similar to their encounter with Belgium on Saturday, the US walked away empty-handed once more. Two matches, two defeats—though there were glimpses of potential, there remain significant questions to address.

Following a 5-2 loss to Belgium, Portugal secured a 2-0 victory with goals from Francisco Trincao and substitute Joao Felix. This match marked the final opportunity for Pochettino to evaluate his players before naming his roster for the upcoming World Cup on May 26. Notably, Portugal achieved this win without stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Dias.

This international break served as a revealing experiment. The USA’s challenges were clear: a need for sharper offense and a more resilient defense. Addressing these shortcomings is crucial for competing with the world’s best teams.

Once again in Atlanta, the USMNT struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities and were too easily punished defensively. While these are tough lessons, it’s better to learn them now than during the summer’s high-stakes tournament.

The USMNT was beaten by 2-0 by Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday night

Goals from Joao Felix (L) and Francisco Trincao condemned the USA to defeat in Atlanta

This was the USMNT’s final game before Mauricio Pochettino names his World Cup roster

The only problem? How does the head coach go about finding a fix in the next 72 days before the USA opens its World Cup account against Paraguay? Particularly when Christian Pulisic is among his primary concerns.

He will shoulder the burden of expectation this summer. Here, though, Pulisic was guilty of missing several big chances before being hauled off at half-time. The AC Milan star has now gone eight USA games without a goal; he hasn’t scored for club or country since December 28.

By the time he left the field, Trincao had converted a rare Portugal opening. It was brilliantly created by Bruno Fernandes. The visitors’ second goal, however, was criminal.

A Portugal corner was allowed to float all the way to Felix on the edge of the box. He had time to take a touch and fire the bouncing ball into the bottom corner.

Many of the 72,000 fans had streamed out by the end, leaving Pochettino to ponder his next move. He has given himself a huge pool of players to pick from and it is a concern that, so close to the World Cup, the Argentine still doesn’t appear to know his best team. How else to explain his persistent experimentation? Two games – against Senegal and Germany – stand between his team and judgment day.

The path leading towards the later rounds of the World Cup grew more treacherous for Pochettino’s team on Tuesday night – even before a ball had been kicked in Atlanta.

On the other side of the world, Turkey beat Kosovo to secure the final spot in Group D alongside America, Paraguay and Australia. Turkey is ranked No 22 in the world – only six places below the USA and more than 50 spots above Kosovo. Last summer, Vincenzo Montella’s side beat the US 2-1.

And so, all of a sudden, the co-host’s task appears rather more daunting. Even in this bloated new format, which will see all-but 16 sides reach the knockout stages.

Trincao celebrates his opening goal with Bruno Fernandes at Mercedez-Benz Stadium 

Weston McKennie tussles with Samu Costa during the first half of Tuesday’s clash in Atlanta

Christian Pulisic, who led the line for the United States, missed a number of first-half chances

It doesn’t help, of course, that the USMNT has been so starved of meaningful, competitive games over recent years. That is the price of automatic qualification. That makes nights such as these especially precious.

Belgium and Portugal are two brilliant, battle-hardened sides, the caliber of team that America will need to beat to break through its glass ceiling this summer. And here on Saturday, Belgium dished out a painful lesson.

The US started that game brightly and they were gifted a few early chances by Portugal, too. Pochettino again shuffled his pack, with Pulisic and Weston McKennie spearheading the USMNT attack. Both spurned glorious openings. First, Pulisic saw a shot blocked from inside the box and then – from the resulting corner – McKennie sent a free header wide.

At the other end, Matt Freese – back in goal in place of Matt Turner – made a sharp save to deny Fernandes but the clearest chance of the opening quarter fell to Pulisic. Tim Weah’s low cross found the 27-year-old seven yards out, bang in front of goal, only for Pulisic to fail to make meaningful contact.

Shortly before halftime, Portugal made him and his team pay. Barely a minute after Pulisic had come close once more – driving a low shot narrowly wide – the USA coughed up possession and Vitinha slid the ball through for Fernandes. His backheel rolled into the path of Trincao, who beat Freese with calm, curled finish.

Perhaps it was no surprise that Pulisic’s frustrations soon boiled over. In first-half stoppage time, the forward was booked. And that proved to be his final contribution – Pulisic, McKennie and Antonee Robinson were all replaced at halftime, while Portugal made seven changes.

If all those substitutions didn’t suck the life out of this game, Felix’s second did. The US has now lost eight straight games against European teams and, by the end here, it was the thousands of Portugal fans – many wearing No 7 on their back – making all the noise.