The United States (USA ) suffered a heavy 5-2 loss to Belgium national football team on Saturday. It was a tough night for Mauricio Pochettino and his team ahead of the World Cup they will co-host this summer.
The defeat comes just 75 days before the tournament. The US had some good results before this match. But they looked far off the level when facing a top European side.
“I see this as a good check reality for us, because now is the moment to feel this type of situation, to improve,” said Pochettino.
The US started well and took an early lead. Weston McKennie scored in front of a crowd of 67,000 in Atlanta. The home fans were loud and hopeful.
But the lead did not last long. Belgium quickly took control of the game. Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere all scored. Substitute Dodi Lukebakio added two more goals.
The US could not respond. Patrick Agyemang scored late, but it only reduced the gap.
The Americans now face Portugal national football team in another friendly on Tuesday. Pochettino will then name his final squad in May.
Christian Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan, said the team must learn from this.
“It was a tough loss. It’s a very good team, but in a lot of ways, there’s things that we can do better,” he said.
“I have to improve. The team has to improve.”
The US has long been seen as an underdog in world football. They brought in Pochettino to lead a talented group that includes Pulisic and McKennie.
They will play all their World Cup matches at home. That has raised hopes among fans. But this result showed they still have work to do.
Belgium looked sharp after going behind. Debast scored from distance before the break. After halftime, they took full control.
Doku caused problems on the wing and helped set up Onana’s goal. Soon after, the referee awarded a penalty after the ball hit Tim Ream’s arm. De Ketelaere scored from the spot.
“For me, it wasn’t a penalty,” said Pochettino.
He also questioned why VAR did not change the decision.
Belgium kept pushing. Lukebakio scored twice to seal the win. Late in the game, Ricardo Pepi created a chance for Agyemang to score.
By then, many US fans had already left the stadium. The final whistle was met with boos.
Pochettino said the loss could still help the team.
“We were so happy against Uruguay, or against Paraguay,” he said. “But to feel sometimes the pain is good.”
