Pochettino claims USA defeat against Belgium will drive team enhancement

The World Cup joint hosts endured a 5 to 2 setback in a friendly match in Atlanta, and they confront yet another demanding trial of their skills at that location on Tuesday as they take on Portugal.

This marked just the fifth occasion in forty years that the US has allowed five goals in a single match, yet Pochettino maintained that experiencing such a heavy defeat in a pre tournament friendly is preferable to it happening during the actual event starting in June.

I see this as a good check reality for us, because now is the moment to feel this type of situation, to improve. We need to improve, of course, he informed journalists.

It is only a game. It is only a game where nothing went for us. I am disappointed with the result, but seeing the performance, we cannot say the players did not perform.

The US manager acknowledged it would prove difficult to persuade supporters of any benefits from the defeat, but he continued: To feel sometimes the pain is good.

I think there were many positive things and with all these types of results, it is better it is going to happen now.

The US competed without vital defender Chris Richards and midfielder Tyler Adams owing to injuries, which left them somewhat toothless on occasion.

We were not aggressive enough, Pochettino remarked. But the moment we matched the intensity of Belgium, we were even or better. The problem was to keep that intensity.

The US side generated opportunities, with a particularly crucial one being skipper Christian Pulisics failure to score from close range. Following an impressive run and skillful manoeuvre into a promising spot, he sent his shot far astray despite the goal being wide open.

Belgium swiftly countered and secured a 2 to 1 advantage right after the US had taken an initial lead.

It is frustrating for me, it has been a tough patch. But I feel confident in the way I am playing, Pulisic commented.

He remains a probable standout performer for the US, whose World Cup campaign commences on June 12 versus Paraguay in Los Angeles.

I am creating chances. So I just have to stay positive and keep going, he stated.

The Americans are jointly hosting the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, alongside Canada and Mexico.