Rudi Garcia delivers blunt verdict on USMNT after Belgium’s 5-2 win
Belgium’s dominant win over the United States did not tell the full story, according to Rudi Garcia. The Red Devils secured a 5-2 victory on American soil at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, but the contest was far tighter before the break.
Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images Belgium’s dominant win over the United States did not tell the full story, according to Rudi Garcia. The Red Devils secured a 5-2 victory on American soil at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, but the contest was far tighter before the break. USA took the lead through Weston McKennie and matched Belgium throughout the first half, which ended level at 1-1.
The game shifted rapidly after half-time, with Belgium striking twice in six minutes to take control and expose defensive weaknesses. From there, the scoreline ran away from the hosts. Rudi Garcia insists USA deserved more Photo by Jared C.
Tilton/Getty Images Garcia refused to judge the Americans purely on the result after the final whistle. “This team is better than the result tonight,” the Spaniard said, according to Fox Sports reporter Doug McIntyre. His assessment reflected a first half where USA created problems before losing momentum after the break.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side even dominated possession during the second-half, but Belgium were clinical and scored four times from eight shots. Mauricio Pochettino finds positives despite defeat Pochettino struck a balanced tone despite the heavy scoreline. He stated at the post-match press conference, according to Andrew Jerell Jones: “Of course 5-2 is always difficult to accept, it’s painful.