ATLANTA — With the World Cup just over two months away, the U.S. men’s national team faces a pressure-filled spring led by two high-profile friendlies at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
The Americans will meet Belgium (No. 9) on Saturday and Portugal (No. 5) on Tuesday. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the federation intentionally lined up elite opponents to reveal where the team stands. He acknowledged the difficulty of final roster decisions, calling selection “a big job” and admitting he’s already feeling the strain of choosing the right 26.
Veteran leaders and emerging stars alike recognize the stakes. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie said hosting the tournament adds expectation. McKennie noted the pressure that comes with playing at home, while Pulisic said he welcomes it and will tackle it alongside his teammates rather than trying to carry it alone.
These matches will be the first meaningful measuring stick against true World Cup contenders. Midfielder Cristian Roldan dismissed the idea of these games as mere exhibitions, calling them an opportunity to show what the U.S. can do against top competition.
Confidence has risen after a sluggish start to 2024. Since last September the U.S. has gone unbeaten, beating Japan, Australia, Paraguay and Uruguay and drawing with Ecuador — five nations that also qualified for the World Cup. A strong set of results against Belgium and Portugal would bolster the argument that the team can advance deep into the knockout rounds; beating teams of that caliber — ideally multiple times — will be essential to make a serious run. Belgium is also mentioned as a possible early opponent in the tournament bracket, adding extra significance to Saturday’s match.
The upcoming friendlies are also the final auditions before Pochettino trims his squad in late May. That urgency has intensified camp, with players feeling the need to stake their claim. While Pulisic and McKennie are all but guaranteed selections barring injury, choices are tougher for younger contributors who have emerged over the last year. Players such as Diego Luna, Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter are among those still fighting for roster spots.
The U.S. will co‑host the World Cup with Canada and Mexico, marking the first time American venues will stage World Cup matches since 1994. That tournament helped accelerate soccer’s domestic growth, and another deep run on home soil could create lasting memories and further raise the sport’s profile. The U.S. deepest modern-era run remains the 2002 quarterfinals, a campaign that included upset wins over top-10 opponents.
“There’s a lot of expectation in the locker room,” Roldan said, noting the responsibility that comes with hosting. He added that with pressure comes the chance to deliver moments that stick with the next generation — something everyone in camp clearly wants to achieve.