USMNT looked disjointed, uneven and unrehearsed in big loss to Belgium

Jérémy Doku was Belgium’s best player against the US on Saturday. Photograph: Johnnie Izquierdo/USSF/Getty Images Two years can feel like an eternity – just not in international football. The USMNT hit restart on their 2026 World Cup cycle at its midpoint, changing coach after exiting the 2024 Copa América at the group stage.

Mauricio Pochettino admitted as he arrived that he had scant familiarity with his inherited player pool, then embarked on an experimental year-plus of trying fresh faces and combinations in search of a winning formula. Last year ended with signs of encouragement. A switch to a back three provided needed stability in possession and defensive sequences.

Several players seemed to benefit from Pochettino’s growing trust, especially senior team newcomers Sebastian Berhalter, Patrick Agyemang, Alex Freeman and Matt Freese. Lining up a pair of high-level opponents, Belgium and Portugal, in this international window seemed like a chance to showcase how far the team had come under the Argentinian’s tutelage. Instead, the US started the window with a 5-2 drubbing on Saturday.

After scoring first, the US conceded five consecutive goals, including four in a half-hour onslaught. While Pochettino and Belgium manager Rudi Garcia both stated that the scoreline flattered the visiting Red Devils, the body language across the USMNT bench late in the second half told a very different story. The big screens at Mercedes-Benz Stadium broadcast their hung heads and slumped shoulders.