With just 75 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, the anticipation and pressure are mounting for the U.S. men’s national soccer team.
As a host nation for this prestigious global event, it’s repeatedly emphasized how crucial it is for this team to showcase the strides American soccer has taken over the years.
However, the progress demonstrated by Mauricio Pochettino’s squad late last year seemed to fade after a heavy defeat to Belgium in Atlanta. Despite taking an early lead, the U.S. team conceded five consecutive goals, resulting in a disappointing 5-2 loss that had fans leaving the stadium early.
The match was a classic case of two contrasting halves as the Americans started with energy and promise in the first 30 minutes but then faltered with numerous defensive errors, highlighting ongoing issues in securing a reliable back line.
While some players on the fringes, such as Tanner Tessman, made a strong case for inclusion in the team, others, including goalkeeper Matt Turner, might have jeopardized their World Cup chances with their performances.
This leaves several questions lingering ahead of an upcoming friendly against Portugal, which marks the final opportunity for Pochettino to assess his squad before announcing his preliminary World Cup roster.
Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT squad suffered a humiliating 5-2 loss to Belgium in Atlanta.
Belgium scored five straight goals in a brutal beatdown of the United States
Out of the gate the Americans were on the front foot with a flurry of chances inside the first 15 minutes that oozed confidence.
Just five minutes in, Timothy Weah sprinted up the right flank and hit a wonderfully curled ball in to Christian Pulisic that the AC Milan winger headed high over the bar.
A corner in the ninth minute fell to Fulham’s Antonee ‘Jedi’ Robinson – leading to a teasing shot from distance that Manchester United keeper Senne Lammens handled with ease through traffic.
The 17th minute yielded the most promising chance of the first 20 minutes. A deflected corner fell to an unmarked Weston McKennie – who had a one-on-one chance with Lammens. But the Juventus man’s attempt went straight at the Belgian shot stopper and was parried away.
McKennie would finally get his goal to break the game open. A wonderfully whipped in cross from Robinson found the boot of the Texas native who tapped it past Lammens to go up 1-0.
Taking the initial lead should have lifted the pressure off some members of the team who needed to prove themselves capable of consideration.
Among those needing to make an impression included Matt Turner. The New England Revolution keeper – formerly of Arsenal and Crystal Palace – had his No. 1 spot supplanted by New York City FC’s Matt Freese. His spot in the starting XI in Atlanta was seen as a chance to prove he was capable of fighting for the starting role, or of making the team at all.
But his decision making was fraught. Belgium’s first close chance in the first half came in the 36th minute, thanks to Turner.
Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 39th minute for the USA
Despite having safer options to his immediate left and right, he launched a ball to the halfway line and over McKennie’s head. It landed at the feet of Maxim De Cuyper, who played the ball up to Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku.
Doku whipped in a dangerous cross that Turner got a glove too, but his save attempt bounced off Charles De Ketelaere and into his own net. It would have meant a Belgian lead if the ball hadn’t hit off the Atalanta striker’s arm – with referee Esteban Ostojich calling a handball.
Turner first of many surrendered goals came in the 44th minute when parrying away a shot from Doku. But his punch out was awkward – floating high and out of the 18-yard-box but right at the feet of Zeno Debast.
The Belgian center back took a touch and then launched a low missile of a shot. It went through the legs of Johnny Cardoso, past Tim Ream, and took a touch off Turner’s diving glove – only to sneak into his right post to equalize just before the half.
While Turner disappointed, it was a strong first half for Tessman. The Lyon man normally operates as a defensive midfielder, but has played center back for the French side in the past.
This afternoon, he looked particularly strong operating as a right side defenseman – shutting down multiple chances while also providing clean transitions from defense to attack.
American keeper Matt Turner made mistake after mistake in net – letting in five goals
The hope was that the team could recover from its lost momentum at the death and keep taking the game to the Belgians. That hope collapsed within the first ten minutes.
Out of the tunnel, the Americans looked sluggish and disorganized in defense. The structure of the backline collapsed under pressure in the 53rd minute enough for Alexis Saelemaekers to pass to Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana – who rifled a shot past a closing Malik Tillman and into the net for a shot Turner had no chance of saving.
Just two minutes later, they made another dreadful mistake when Tim Ream committed a handball in the box. Ostojich called for a penalty and then confirmed his decision with VAR. De Ketelaere had Turner guessing the wrong way and opened up a 3-1 lead.
Substitutions were made for both sides, with Tessman and Weah being called off for a pair of defenders in Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten.
Almost immediately, Arfsten got burned by an in-cutting Dodi Lukebakio. The Benfica winger curled a shot past Turner – who reacted too late – and tripled the advantage.
Lukebakio managed a brace for himself with sloppy play from the Americans. A low cross from the Belgians deflected off the foot of Sebastian Berhalter in a poor attempt to control the ball. The Belgian pounced on it and hit a low shot that Turner did not even bother diving for. It rolled into his net to make it 5-1.
Fans bolted for the exits. Not even a late goal from Derby County star Patrick Agyemang could really get the crowd back into things. The goal came after a lazy moment from Lammens, with Ricardo Pepi jumping on a short pass and Agyemang curling it into the net.
The referee mercifully blew the whistle with over 20 seconds remaining before the full five added minutes had elapsed. Boos rained down again, but with significant emptiness in the stands deadening the impact.
