Portugal Up Next

Coming Off a Draw With Mexico, Portugal Provides Another Stern Test for the Americans

After Saturday's 5-2 humiliation against Belgium, the United States has precious little time to lick its wounds. Tuesday brings Portugal to Mercedes-Benz Stadium—a side ranked fifth in the world and among the favorites to go deep in this summer's tournament.

The good news for the Americans is that Portugal arrives in Atlanta without their all-time leading scorer. Cristiano Ronaldo is sidelined with a hamstring injury he suffered while playing for Al-Nassr in February, leaving Roberto Martínez's side to rely on Paris Saint-Germain striker Gonçalo Ramos as their primary attacking threat up front. The squad is still laden with talent, however, with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves and Pedro Neto among those expected to feature.

Portugal's most recent outing, a 0-0 draw against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday, offered the U.S. some encouragement, though perhaps not as much as the scoreline suggests. The Portuguese created a handful of clear opportunities: Ramos curled a shot onto the outside of the post in the first half, João Félix threatened early with a half-volley that looped just wide, and João Cancelo headed off target in a promising late position. Martínez's side looked sharp in spells but ultimately could not find a way through a disciplined Mexican defensive structure.

Still, a team that drew with Mexico should not inspire false confidence in a U.S. side that just conceded five goals to a Belgian squad missing both Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois. The Americans will hope to give their anxious fanbase something to feel better about on Tuesday, and with Chris Richards potentially returning from a knee injury to shore up a leaky backline, Mauricio Pochettino's side will need every available boost they can get.