# LIVE U.S. vs Portugal Reaction, FIFA World Cup field is set, Italy SHOCKED

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347/live-u-s-vs-portugal-reaction-fifa-world-cup-field-is-set-italy-shocked
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347/live-u-s-vs-portugal-reaction-fifa-world-cup-field-is-set-italy-shocked.md
Podcast: [Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347)
Published: 2026-04-01T08:42:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/FOXM2559977762.mp3?updated=1775033725
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/FOXM2559977762.mp3?updated=1775033725
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347/episodes/live-u-s-vs-portugal-reaction-fifa-world-cup-field-is-set-italy-shocked
Duration seconds: 4430

## Resource

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 Late to Tinker for Pochettino?(37:18) UEFA World Cup Playoffs: Italy falls yet again(48:27) FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Sorry Jamaica(56:28) Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina Friendlies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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