ATLANTA — On a big-picture scale, there was no pressure involved in Saturday’s World Cup friendly between the U.S. men’s national team and Belgium.

As ugly as it turned out to be, the end result on this day — Belgium 5, United States 2 — was never going to be of significant consequence.

More than pressure, preparation was paramount for the real thing: June 12 against Paraguay in the first of the three U.S. Group D World Cup matches.

The pressure in games like Saturday’s — as well as here again Tuesday against Portugal — falls on the players trying to earn a spot on the final roster once it’s named May 26, and those vying for a spot on the starting XI.