Pochettino under scrutiny braces for Portugal challenge post Belgium defeat
However the coach maintained he is content with his last opportunity to evaluate his team ahead of revealing his World Cup lineup as it features yet another tough exhibition game against a top ranked side.
"We never thought that facing Belgium or Portugal would be easy," Pochettino remarked following the heavy setback to Belgium in Atlanta on Saturday.
"We knew we would have to dig deep and that it would give us a bit of a reality check."
"We have many things to improve... Portugal will present us with the same level of challenge - or perhaps even greater - and we need to raise our game."
Expectations are intense for Pochettinos group to perform well this summer.
The US faces Paraguay Australia and either Turkey or Kosovo in their World Cup group which experts consider a fairly favourable grouping for the hosts.
All those matches occur on home ground plus any potential knockout rounds if they advance which heightens the anticipation.
Selecting opponents for the United States concluding World Cup preparation friendlies inevitably involves balancing confidence building with rigorous testing.
Unlike the US encounters with elite teams for instance Pochettinos homeland Argentina recently faced 115th ranked Mauritania in a friendly they edged 2-1 and 91st ranked Zambia.
"We need competitive games to arrive at the World Cup at our best," Pochettino stated to the media.
I believe we might show up with misguided confidence thinking we are exceptional attractive well groomed and American.
"It is good to feel that. But if you want to win the World Cup, you want to go to the next stage of the group and beat Paraguay... do you think they're not going to fight?"
Selection dilemmas continue
Setting aside injuries Pochettino fielded an almost complete starting XI against Belgium.
The US featured key players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
After the loss Pochettino noted his side dominated the first 30 minutes yet must learn from easing off against superior foes who ultimately netted five times.
"Losing a game... in my mind, is never really good," McKennie commented.
Still he voiced optimism that the squad will emerge "stronger for it against Portugal” ranked fifth by FIFA.
Due to absences among defenders Sergino Dest Chris Richards and Miles Robinson alongside midfielder Tyler Adams Pochettino tried Timothy Weah at right back.
Weah faced difficulties containing the dynamic Jeremy Doku.
Pochettino experimented in central midfield with Johnny Cardoso who shines at Atletico Madrid yet fades for the US and was replaced at the break plus Tanner Tessmann.
Pochettino conceded Tessmann "can do better" shielding the US backline and added: "I saw him play better games than today."
This central midfield puzzle demands swift resolution from the coach.
Post Portugal the US schedules closing warmups versus Senegal whose African Cup of Nations triumph over Morocco was overturned lately and another top ten nation Germany.
Yet Pochettino affirmed he will "not going to change the approach because of the result" versus Belgium.
"We need to keep going with the plan."