ATLANTA - In the wake of his team's 2-0 defeat to Portugal, United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said his side is "not far away" from beating a team of that quality and that only "small details" need to be worked out.
The U.S. fell to Portugal -- currently ranked fifth in the world in FIFA's rankings -- on goals from Francisco Trincão in the 37th minute and João Félix in the 59th, with Bruno Fernandes assisting on both. The first came after a turnover in midfield, with Fernandes latching onto a through ball, and when U.S. defender Chris Richards closed him down, he delivered a clever backheel to an onrushing Trincão.
The second goal came off a set piece when, due to a defensive mix-up, Fernandes' delivery was controlled by Félix, who lashed home his shot from 21 yards.
"I think we compete really well," Pochettino said. "I was again [for the] first half and 20 minutes or 15 minutes in the second half. And in details, in the small details, I think we lose the game."
The result was the second defeat of the March window, with the U.S. falling to Belgium 5-2 three days earlier. But Pochettino still felt like the camp was a success.
"I think this camp is very positive," he said. "I think it was the end of our cycle ... for preparation for the World Cup. I think this is the end because the next roster is going to be the roster that is going to be involved. I think it's too many things that we need to assess and to see in the next few weeks.
"Yes, I am more positive now than before because seeing the team compete, we are not far away. It's only details that we need to prove."
The U.S., with Christian Pulisic playing as a central striker, had chances to score, but was unable to convert. Timothy Weah served up an inviting cross in the 22nd minute, but Pulisic was unable to make solid contact. The AC Milan attacker then fired a shot wide in the 36th minute after solid work from Alex Freeman.
Pulisic also cut a frustrated figure on the field and earned a booking in the third minute of first-half stoppage time for a late challenge. The match marked the eighth in a row that Pulisic failed to score for the U.S., but Pochettino said he wasn't concerned.
"Yes, he feels frustrated, but that is what we want, what we expect," Pochettino said about Pulisic. "He was fighting. He was committing in the phases that we demand more and then with the ball, he's going to score because he has quality. I am sure that he's going to come back to his club and the moment that he scores, he is going to score again."
Pulisic agreed with his coach on the direction the team was heading and that the goals -- he hasn't scored for club or country in 2026 -- were going to come.
"I feel like we are a lot closer than people think. We put a lot of pressure on [Belgium and Portugal] in the first half of both the games," Pulisic said after the game. "We were able to create chances, which if I finish chances, which I know I'm going to, then things are going to be a bit different. There was just a couple moments were there was a lack of concentration and we're giving up goals, but I feel like we are right in the game.
"Physically I feel really good, feel really sharp, and I'm doing a lot of good things. I have to help my team to create assists and score goals and create chances. Obviously when I don't do that it's frustrating, but I feel like I'm close and I feel good things are coming."
The next time the USMNT gets together will be after the final roster is announced. Pochettino said he was still looking at more than 35 players to fill the 26 spots.
"I think now they know that it's going to be a competition," Pochettino said about the final weeks before the roster is announced May 26. "They know that we are going to see every single week, every single game, and we are going to assess one year and a half or more, and we are going to make the decision.
"I think who would be there is going to be happy, [who is] not on the roster is going to be sad, but I think we don't need to talk too much."
The U.S. will next play Senegal in Charlotte on May 31 followed by the final World Cup tuneup against Germany on June 6 in Chicago.
"It's massive for us. It's about to learn," Pochettino said about playing quality opponents. "I think we should play more games ... like this because even if it's painful, it's the only way to improve. It's the only way to learn. It's the only way to see how these top players and teams compete."
Pochettino will lead the U.S. into Group D play at the World Cup in their opener against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.