USMNT Suffers Heavy Defeat to Belgium in World Cup Preparations
A dismal second half display by the United States men's national team saw them succumb to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Belgium in a World Cup warm-up match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The American side had started strongly, with Weston McKennie opening the scoring in the 39th minute, turning in a corner kick from Antonee Robinson for his 12th international goal and first in three years. However, a long-range equalizer from Zeno Debast on the stroke of halftime proved to be the turning point in the match, as Belgium went on to score three more goals in a 15-minute spell in the second half.
Amadou Onana's strike was added to by a penalty from Charles De Ketelaere, after a handball by US captain Tim Ream, before Dodi Lukebakio scored the pick of the goals, with a curling effort into the top corner of Matt Turner's net. Lukebakio added his second and Belgium's fifth in the 82nd minute, prompting early exits from some among the largely pro-American crowd of 66,867. Substitute Patrick Agyemang scored a late consolation for the USMNT, but the damage had already been done.
The result snapped a five-game unbeaten streak for the USMNT, which was tied for the best run of coach Mauricio Pochettino's tenure. Despite acknowledging the chastening result, Pochettino insisted that there was no need to panic just over two months before the World Cup begins.
The heavy defeat to Belgium will undoubtedly be a reality check for the USMNT ahead of the World Cup. However, it is worth noting that the American side had a strong start to the match, with Weston McKennie's goal a highlight. The real concern for Pochettino will be the defensive vulnerabilities that were exposed in the second half, which will need to be addressed before the tournament begins.
