USA Must Rediscover Intensity In Tuneup v. Portugal: ‘It’s Nonnegotiable’

MARIETTA, Ga. — As he settled into his podium seat for Monday’s packed pre-match press conference inside Atlanta United’s sprawling and pristine training facility, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino cut a businesslike figure. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) The Argentine answered the first dozen or so questions matter-of-factly, displaying little sign of the…

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‘If Chris Richards Is Available, It’s Good’: USA Set To Have Its Star Defender vs. Portugal

MARIETTA, Georgia — Chris Richards knew the question was coming. And when he heard it, he smiled. “Tell us about your knee — what’s going on there?” a reporter asked Monday ahead of the U.S. men’s national team’s training session. The Crystal Palace center back missed Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Belgium because of a knee…

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USA’s Stars Ready to Redeem Themselves in Yet Another Tough Pre-World Cup Test

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) — Walking the streets of Georgia’s stately capital on Saturday, shortly before the United States men’s national team’s World Cup warm-up against Belgium, the excitement among the home team’s fans was palpable. Under a cloudless sky, supporters of all ages wore those swanky new USA jerseys and ear-to-ear smiles. Inside “The Benz,”…

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