The United States men’s national team faced a tough setback in World Cup preparations as Belgium dominated the second half to secure a convincing 5-2 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The U.S. had not lost by three goals in a home game after scoring first since an 8-1 defeat to England in 1959, according to Opta.
USMNT Suffer 5-2 Defeat to Belgium in World Cup Warm-Up
Coach Pochettino Calls It a Valuable Reality Check
“It’s a good reality check for us,” Pochettino said at a news conference.
“I think we need competitive games to arrive to the World Cup in our best,” he added. “I think we cannot arrive with the wrong idea that we are so good, we are so handsome, we are so well-dressed and we are Americans.
“And it’s good to feel that, but if we want to win the World Cup, if we want to go next to the next station in the group and we want to beat Paraguay, do you think that they are not going to fight?”
Match Highlights: USMNT’s Strong Start Fades
Weston McKennie gave the U.S. a perfect start with the opening goal in the 39th minute, turning in an Antonee Robinson corner at the back post for his 12th international goal and first in three years.
Zeno Debast leveled for Belgium with a long-range strike just before halftime. The No. 9-ranked visitors then exploded with three goals in a 15-minute second-half spell, highlighting defensive issues for Pochettino’s team.
Amadou Onana scored next, followed by Charles De Ketelaere’s penalty after a handball by U.S. captain Tim Ream. Dodi Lukebakio then delivered the goal of the match with a curling effort into the top corner of Matt Turner’s net.
Lukebakio netted his second and Belgium’s fifth in the 82nd minute, prompting early exits from parts of the 66,867-strong crowd. Substitute Patrick Agyemang grabbed a late consolation for the U.S.
Impact on USMNT Form and World Cup Prep
The loss ended a five-game unbeaten streak for the U.S., tied for the best under Pochettino.
Despite the heavy defeat, Pochettino urged calm with just over two months until the World Cup. “I think it’s the last thing to be concerned about the World Cup,” he said.
“I think that of course 5-2 is always difficult to accept. It’s painful, but at the same time I think we need to take so many positive things. The first half was really good. I think we really play better than Belgium.
“I think we create chances to finish the 45 minutes in a positive way, but we concede in the last action of the first half and then there was an impact. And it’s true that after the second half, it really was difficult for us.”
Player Performances and Challenges
Christian Pulisic missed several scoring opportunities, extending his U.S. goal drought to seven games since November 2024 after entering scoreless in his last 12 games with AC Milan.
“Of course I’m disappointed. I have to finish my chances,” Pulisic said. “They aren’t easy chances, but at certain moments — that I expect to do better, for sure.”
“We have to beat teams like this if we want to have a chance to go far in the tournament,” Pulisic added.
Injuries sidelined Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, and midfielder Tyler Adams, leaving the 15th-ranked U.S. light in defense. Tim Weah started at right back and struggled against Belgium’s Jérémy Doku.
Matt Turner, returning since last June, had a tough outing. Antonee Robinson featured for the first time since Nov. 18, 2024.
“We didn’t defend our box well enough,” Turner said. “That’s something that we cannot have. We can’t accept that we didn’t lay everything on the line to keep the ball out of the back of the net because that’s when our tails should be up the most.”
Upcoming Fixtures and Context
The U.S. unbeaten run last fall featured wins over Japan (No. 18), Australia (27), Paraguay (38), and Uruguay (17), plus a draw with Ecuador (23). Next up is No. 5 Portugal on Tuesday, Pochettino’s final tune-up before naming his World Cup roster at the end of May.
That Portugal clash marks the last chance to assess players before the squad announcement.
Belgium, missing Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Hans Vanaken, and Thibaut Courtois, faces Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday.
“This team is better than the result,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said of the U.S. “We started bad, but also because the USA was more aggressive than us.”
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