USMNT Crumbles Against Belgium: Humiliating Loss Sends Shockwaves Through Pochettino's Camp

The U.S. men's national team only showed up for the first half and were thoroughly beaten 5–2 by Belgium on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino's squad dominated much of the opening 45 minutes, with the USMNT taking the lead through Weston McKennie. The goal seemed to galvanize Belgium, and Zeno Debast leveled things up before the break.

The USMNT then fell apart spectacularly in the second half as Belgium showed no mercy. Goals from Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere, and a double from Dodi Lukébakio sealed the rout, before Patrick Agyemang netted late to give the final score a slightly more respectable look.

After an encouraging opening, the USMNT collapsed and couldn't find a way back into the match. It's a serious reality check for the Stars and Stripes, as the gulf between them and one of the world's elite national teams was laid bare. Pochettino and his staff have a lot of work ahead of them before the World Cup.

One Thing We Can't Ignore

Pochettino's move to a 3-4-2-1 shape with three center backs last autumn triggered a strong run of form that saw the USMNT enter this match unbeaten in five straight games with four victories. That's why many were puzzled when Tim Ream and Mark McKenzie were the only two center backs named in the starting lineup against Belgium.

However, while the personnel changed, the recently adopted system remained in place. Instead, either Johnny Cardoso or Tanner Tessmann—primarily the latter—dropped from midfield to slot in between the center back pair when the U.S. had possession.

Malik Tillman frequently dropped deeper to form the double pivot, with Cristian Pulisic and Weston McKennie operating as dual No. 10s behind Folarin Balogun. Natural wingbacks Antonee Robinson and Timothy Weah were given license to push forward, providing Pochettino's side with width and attacking threat down the flanks.

This marks the first time Pochettino has used a natural midfielder in the third center back role across the six matches he's employed this system. Using an extra midfielder in that position could be a tactical variation worth developing further ahead of the World Cup, as it provides a more technically gifted passer in the build-up phase.

That said, the absence of a genuine extra defender also played a role in the second half collapse, giving Pochettino plenty to consider going forward.

USMNT Player Ratings vs. Belgium (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: Matt Turner—6.0: Was preferred over Matt Freese and produced a couple of decent stops. His distribution was inconsistent and he perhaps could have done better to prevent Debast's equalizer, though his sightlines may have been blocked. Little he could do to stop the rest.

RB: Timothy Weah—6.1: Showed plenty of ambition going forward but was diligent in tracking back to deal with the lively Jérémy Doku. He made some solid defensive contributions, though the Manchester City winger proved a handful throughout.

CB: Tim Ream—6.5: Consistently a fraction too slow to react, and the penalty he conceded was an inexcusable error.

CB: Mark McKenzie—7.3: Offered little defensive assurance. Too frequently caught in two minds, leaving him as a bystander as Belgium's forwards ran riot.

LB: Antonee Robinson—6.7: Defensively solid and his surging runs down the left provided a consistent outlet in possession, using the space along the flank brilliantly. His set-piece deliveries were accurate, teeing up McKennie's opener. The standout performer on the day.

DM: Tanner Tessmann—6.8: Provided balance to Pochettino's side and regularly dropped into a third center back role both in and out of possession.

DM: Johnny Cardoso—7.5: Looked assured in possession, completing every pass while consistently initiating moves from deep. Did a commendable job keeping Kevin de Bruyne quiet.

RW: Weston McKennie—8.4: Intelligently found space to exploit in the final third. Spurned a one-on-one inside the six-yard box but atoned with a well-taken header to break the deadlock.

AM: Malik Tillman—9.7: Delivered a superb first half, creating three chances with sharp one-touch passes that repeatedly cut through Belgium's backline. Faded completely after the interval.

LW: Christian Pulisic—8.4: A disappointing outing from the USMNT's key man. Inconsistent on the ball, and the rare moments where his quality shone through were let down by underwhelming efforts on goal.

ST: Folarin Balogun—9.1: Left isolated against Belgium's center backs, the Monaco striker was largely anonymous throughout.

SUB: Cristian Roldán (46' for Cardoso)—7.3: Picked up where Cardoso left off and was one of the few positives in an otherwise dismal second half.

SUB: Alex Freeman (64' for Tessmann)—6.4: Was barely tested from the moment he entered the pitch.

SUB: Max Arfsten (64' for Robinson)—6.5: Produced some tidy line-breaking passes but his crosses into the box left a lot to be desired.

SUB: Sebastian Berhalter (64' for Weah)—6.1: A woeful attempted clearance gifted Lukébakio his second goal.

SUB: Giovanni Reyna (70' for McKennie)—6.1: Given little opportunity to make any meaningful contribution.

SUB: Joseph Scally (71' for Tillman)—6.1: Picked up a yellow card in an otherwise forgettable appearance.

SUB: Patrick Agyemang (71' for Balogun)—6.1: Made the most of a defensive error from Belgium to slot home his side's second with a composed finish.

SUB: Ricardo Pepi (71' for Pulisic)—6.1: Barely involved throughout his time on the field.

Subs not used: Chris Brady (GK), Matt Freese (GK), Patrick Schulte (GK), Auston Trusty, Aidan Morris, Brenden Aaronson.

What the Ratings Tell Us

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