USMNT routed by Belgium in blow to WCup prep

USMNT routed by Belgium in blow to WCup prep

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The United States men's national team suffered a setback in its preparations for the World Cup as Belgium ran rampant in the second half to emerge emphatic 5-2 winners at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.

Weston McKennie rewarded the U.S. for an impressive start with the opening goal in the 39th minute as he turned in an Antonee Robinson corner at the back post for his 12th international goal and first in three years.

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But Zeno Debast scored a long-range equalizer for Belgium on the stroke of halftime and the No. 9-ranked visitors scored three more times in a 15-minute spell in the second half to expose some defensive vulnerabilities for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Amadou Onana's strike was added to by a penalty from Charles De Ketelaere, after a handball by U.S. 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.

Belgium proved too much for the USMNT in the second half of their friendly in Atlanta. DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty ImagesLukebakio added his second and Belgium's fifth in the 82nd minute to prompt early exits from some among the largely pro-American crowd of 66,867 before substitute Patrick Agyemang scored a late consolation for the U.S.

The result snapped a five-game unbeaten streak for the U.S., which was tied for the best run of Pochettino's tenure.

Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games and has won six straight against the U.S. since losing to the Americans at the initial World Cup in 1930.

The USMNT will now look to regain some momentum against another leading European opponent when facing off with Portugal back in Atlanta on Tuesday. That will be the final game for Pochettino to assess his players before naming his roster for the World Cup at the end of May.

The U.S., which is co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, opens its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California.

Injuries to Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards and Miles Robinson left the 15th-ranked U.S. short-handed in defense, while midfielder Tyler Adams was also unavailable. As a result, Tim Weah started at right back and was handed a tough afternoon by Belgium's Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku.

It was also a frustrating afternoon for Turner, the former No. 1 American goalkeeper who made his first appearance since last June. Left back Antonee Robinson was making his first appearance since Nov. 18, 2024, because of injury.

Belgium was missing striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielders Leandro Trossard and Hans Vanaken and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because of injuries and fitness issues. The Red Devils play Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.