Pochettino's Bold Prematch Boast Blows Up in His Face as USMNT Suffers Historic Defeat

U.S. men's national team (USMNT) head coach Mauricio Pochettino arrived at Saturday's friendly against Belgium with plenty of confidence.

Still buoyed by his team's remarkable demolition of Uruguay back in November, Pochettino was eager to share his ambitions of lifting the World Cup trophy on home turf this summer with anyone willing to hear him out.

Shortly before kickoff at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium — one of two venues set to host a semifinal in the upcoming tournament — Pochettino told the TNT Sports panel that he intended to be back at the stadium during the World Cup. "We try to be in the semifinal here," he smiled, "we need to start to dream today." What followed was anything but a dream.

Belgium cruised to a 5–2 win in Atlanta, becoming the first opponent to put more than four goals past the USMNT during Pochettino's entire time in charge. No team had managed five goals against the Stars and Stripes in nearly 17 years, dating back to the painful 2009 Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico.

After grabbing a first-half lead, the USMNT's momentum evaporated as Belgium netted three goals within a 15-minute spell spanning both halves. Dodi Lukébakio entered from the bench to really pile on the misery with a composed brace, before Patrick Agyemang grabbed a late consolation in the 87th minute.

What Went Wrong for Pochettino, USMNT?

Things began promisingly enough. Before Zeno Debast thundered Belgium level in stoppage time of the first half with an audacious long-range strike, the USMNT had more than held their own.

Organized in a 4-2-3-1 without the ball, Pochettino's side shifted into a back-three in possession, with one of the central midfielders dropping deeper to allow fullbacks Antonee Robinson and Timothy Weah to push forward. It was the Fulham man who delivered the corner for Weston McKennie to give the hosts a well-earned lead in the 39th minute.

However, the USMNT faded badly after those early efforts. Having matched Belgium for shots on target (four apiece) and creating two clear-cut chances to the Europeans' none in the first half, the flow of the game shifted dramatically after the restart.

Game of Two Halves for USMNT

Stats via FotMob.

"We were not aggressive enough," Pochettino conceded, reflecting candidly on his side's failure to contain Belgium's rapid counter-attacks in the second period.

Having struggled to make an impact despite dominating possession in the first half, it was notable that Belgium's danger — and the USMNT's defensive frailties — grew significantly with less of the ball after the break. Red Devils manager Rudi Garcia later explained how he reorganized his midfield into more of a mid-block for the second half, neutralizing the USMNT's ability to exploit the space in behind Belgium's high defensive line while giving his team a more solid base to launch attacks from.

"In the key areas, we didn't have the right energy," Pochettino added. "We were much more in the last third, we had better numbers. But they [Belgium] were very decisive."

USMNT Find Positives Amid the Rubble

"It is true that against Belgium we lose 5–2 and from there you can't say nothing that can convince people that are positive things," Pochettino began. "But I think there are too many positive things that we are seeing in the dressing room, and all these types of result, it is better it is going to happen now."

Despite the many negatives to take from Saturday's heavy defeat, Pochettino had some grounds for his upbeat assessment.

"It's only a game. It's only a game that nothing [went] for us," he sighed. "Disappointed with the result, but seeing the performance, we cannot say [any individual player] didn't perform."

Pochettino wasn't the only one offering kind words about the losing side.

"This team is better than the result tonight," Belgium manager Rudi Garcia insisted. "We started bad, but also because USA was more aggressive than us."

As Pochettino rightly noted, the first half "is the way we want to play." The challenge now, he said, is simply "to keep this level."