USMNT Struggles with Disjointed Tactics in Defeat to Belgium The U.S. men’s national team faced a stark reality check on Saturday as they suffered a 5-2 loss to Belgium, exposing deep flaws in their tactical approach and squad cohesion. The match, part of the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle, highlighted the challenges of rebuilding a team under new management and the risks of overhauling personnel without sufficient preparation. Mauricio Pochettino, the new head coach, inherited a squad that had just exited the 2024 Copa América at the group stage. His tenure began with a focus on experimentation, introducing fresh combinations and players in search of a winning formula. While there were signs of progress last year, such as the adoption of a back-three formation and the integration of younger talents like Sebastian Berhalter and Patrick Agyemang, the recent match against Belgium revealed the limitations of this approach. The U.S. started the game with a goal, capitalizing on a well-executed corner kick. However, Belgium quickly turned the tide, scoring five unanswered goals in a dominant display. The first goal came from Zeno Debast, who capitalized on a defensive lapse as the U.S. struggled to organize its backline. The second goal, a well-timed strike by Amadou Onana, underscored the U.S.’s inability to contain Belgium’s attacking threats. Pochettino acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, noting that while they matched Belgium’s intensity at times, they failed to maintain consistency throughout the 90 minutes. “We were even, in some moments, we were better,” he admitted, but the scoreline told a different story. The U.S. defense, plagued by untested partnerships, allowed Belgium to exploit gaps in their shape.#belgium #usmnt #mauricio_pochettino #zeno_debast #amadou_onana
