USMNT vs Belgium: Initial reactions from Atlanta’s March tune-ups against top squads

The USMNT returned to its new home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday to welcome Kevin de Bruyne and Belgium for a pre-World Cup tune-up. Fans were treated to goals both ways, as each team had significant opportunities throughout the 90 minutes, and it certainly exposed what both sides need to tighten up prior to the big tournament arriving in June. Unfortunately for the United States and Mauricio Pochettino’s crew, some of the defensive frailties and inabilities of big-name players to finish chances were put on display in a performance that won’t be good enough come World Cup time. Here are the final whistle thoughts straight from Atlanta!

Tim Weah vs Jeremy Doku

This was the matchup to watch for most of the game, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Unless you’re a fan of the U.S., and then it kind of did disappoint. But it was genuinely entertaining, watching the buzzing-bee play style of Doku against the straight line speed of Weah. Unfortunately, Weah was often left on an island trying to defend a guy who is nigh unplayable in 1v1 scenarios and that directly contributed to a significant number of Belgium’s goals. In his defense, it was blatantly obvious how difficult Doku was going to be to handle and Pochettino didn’t really do much to adjust and help out that flank.

The stars

Let’s face it, Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku were the two Belgian players most fans – of either side – were excited to see. The United States has its own mainstays in Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and a few others, but the difference in this game was that Belgium’s entire squad, including its stars, showed up to play. We’ve already mentioned Doku, who was probably Man of the Match, and de Bruyne’s class speaks for itself, but Belgium’s supporting cast also contributed heavily. Meanwhile, though McKennie gave a solid account of himself, the rest of the USMNT truly struggled to mold into the team they’re advertised to be months before their biggest tournament of all time.

Pulisic had multiple opportunities to change the state of the game early on and wasn’t able to capitalize. Jedi Robinson and Folarin Balogun tried to create something different via direct play and hold up play, respectively, but those efforts were all for naught. It simply wasn’t enough for a team that really needs its stars to shine when it’s depth simply and factually isn’t what most European countries have.

The defense and adjustments

It’s just a bit irritating watching a team basically run the same play over and over again like it’s Madden 2004 with Michael Vick and be successful with it. Once Belgium realized they could run directly to the end line and then play a lazy ball back to the top of the box for essentially any Belgian to take a shot, they began doing it relentlessly and effectively. Some of this is certainly attributed to the aforementioned Doku, but the lack of United States’ adjustments was troubling.

Would having Miles Robinson or Chris Richards back there change anything? Doubtful, maybe a goal or two, but the USMNT still gave up 5 goals against a team they could very well eventually see in the World Cup if they make it far enough. Playing like they did today, though? They’ll struggle to make it out of the group.