About this episode

The hosts react to the USA's loss to Portugal and discuss the implications for the upcoming World Cup, including player performances and team tactics.

Alexi Lalas, David Mosse and Rob Stone are back with a new LIVE episode of State of the Union! We break down another disappointing USA loss in the buildup to the World Cup, this time a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Portugal. The trio discuss the changes to the starting XI made by Mauricio Pochettino and whether we are too close to the World Cup to be tinkering with the team’s tactics. Additionally, with Christian Pulisic being in an extended scoring slump for both club and country, the guys ask what his role within the team is and how the squad and Pochettino can get the best out of him. Finally, we ask the question: has this window changed our minds about the U.S.’s prospects in the World Cup. Can they still make a deep run? After a thorough USA discussion, Alexi, Mosse, and Rob react to the full World Cup bracket and break down the final day of qualifying that saw Türkiye book their place in the USA’s group and Italy failing to qualify AGAIN. All of that and much more in the newest episode of State of the Union.Presented by Zillow #Zillow (0:00) Intro(3:10) U.S. falls to Portugal 2-0(9:41) The Great Keeper Debate: Freese vs Turner(17:32) Are we worried about Pulisic?(22:05) Too…

People in this episode

Hosts: Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, Rob Stone

Topics covered

• USA soccer
• World Cup preparation
• Portugal match analysis
• Pulisic's performance
• Italy's qualification failure
• World Cup bracket breakdown

Keywords

• USA vs Portugal
• FIFA World Cup
• Christian Pulisic
• Italy qualifying
• Mauricio Pochettino
• soccer analysis
• World Cup bracket

Sponsors

Zillow

Mentioned in this episode

Places: USA, Portugal, Türkiye, Italy

More episodes of Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

• 50 Days Out Special: Ranking EVERY FIFA World Cup Team & Yamal OUT · April 23, 2026 · 1h 3m
• FOX Sports FIFA World Cup Roundtable: USA Head Coaches · April 22, 2026 · 1h 40m
• Matarazzo’s Historic Trophy, Balogun’s Record Run, Pulisic's all-time low · April 21, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Mbappé over Yamal, Epic UCL night and MLS vs Liga MX with Stu Holden · April 16, 2026 · 1h 9m
• BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker heads to Saudi Arabia, Pulisic slump continues, Group of Death rankings · April 14, 2026 · 50 min
• Agyemang OUT of World Cup & should Pulisic leave AC Milan? · April 9, 2026 · 1h 7m

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