The United States men’s national team experienced a significant setback in its preparations for the forthcoming World Cup, as Belgium exhibited overwhelming dominance in the second half, securing a decisive 5-2 victory at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.
Weston McKennie repaid the U.S. for a commendable start, netting the initial goal in the 39th minute by converting an Antonee Robinson corner kick at the back post.
However, Zeno Debast found a long-range equalizer for Belgium just before the interval, and the ninth-ranked visiting squad added three more goals within a 14-minute period in the second half, utterly overwhelming Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Amadou Onana’s powerful shot was complemented by a penalty kick from Charles De Ketelaere, before Dodi Lukebakio notched the most impressive of the goals, delivering a curling shot into the top corner of Matt Turner’s net.
Lukebakio completed his brace and Belgium’s fifth in the 82nd minute, prompting premature departures from some spectators in the stands, before substitute Patrick Agyemang scored a late, face-saving goal for the U.S.
This outcome abruptly ended a five-game unbeaten run for the U.S., a streak that had equaled the finest sequence of Pochettino’s tenure.
The USMNT will now aim to recover some impetus when it contends with another top-tier European adversary, Portugal, back in Atlanta on Tuesday. This encounter will serve as Pochettino’s final opportunity to evaluate his squad members before finalizing his roster for the World Cup at the conclusion of May.
The U.S., which is jointly staging the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, commences its World Cup journey against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California.
Due to injuries sustained by Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, and Miles Robinson, the 15th-ranked U.S. found itself depleted defensively, while midfielder Tyler Adams was also not present.
Pochettino afforded Turner his initial outing in goal since last June, while Robinson was returning to action for the first time since November 18, 2024, owing to an injury.