The loss marked a disappointing start to the 2026 cycle under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over after the tournament. Multiple reports indicate the USMNT had entered the match on a high after a five-game unbeaten streak, with the mood around the team described as positive. However, the heavy defeat has cast a shadow over the buildup to the World Cup, which is fewer than 100 days away.
Recent form had been troubling even before this collapse. The USMNT's loss to Portugal was their eighth consecutive defeat to a European opponent, during which they were outscored 22-6. Pochettino inherited a team in transition, acknowledging at his introductory press conference, "I had scant familiarity with my inherited player pool when I arrived." The Argentine manager has been implementing his vision, including a switch to a back three last year that multiple reports indicate provided stability in possession and defense.
I was surprised that Turner played against Belgium and suggested Pochettino did it to keep goalkeeper competition open.
Against Belgium, the match unfolded in dramatic fashion. The US scored first when Weston McKennie volleyed in a corner from close range, and research suggests the Americans were the better team in the first half. Belgium goalkeeper Lammens was forced into making fine stops from Antonee Robinson, McKennie and Folarin Balogun during that period, according to research. The USMNT deserved their lead at that point, but Belgium finished strongly before halftime with Zeno Debast blasting in a superb leveller from distance from a loose ball beyond the edge of the box.
The second half was a completely different story, with Belgium quickly getting into their rhythm and capitalizing with two goals in six minutes. Charles De Ketelaere scored from the penalty spot after Amadou Onana had rolled his team into the lead, followed by Dodi Lukébakio coming off the bench to curl in a brilliant fourth goal. Lukébakio doubled his personal tally with a close-range finish in the last 10 minutes before Patrick Agyemang made the most of a Youri Tielemans error to make the scoreline respectable. Multiple reports indicate the US took an early lead but conceded five consecutive goals, including four in a half-hour onslaught.
I expected Freese to play each of the four games before the World Cup.
Defensive lineup changes contributed to the collapse. Tim Ream and Mark McKenzie paired at center-back for the first time since November 2024, while Antonee Robinson made his first appearance since that same month. Most notably, Tim Weah started at right-back for the first time in his 48 caps with the assignment of defending Jérémy Doku, one of the world's most dangerous wingers. Matt Turner made his first start since June in goal, and research suggests the second-half capitulation after a promising first half leaves Pochettino looking for answers to questions he hadn't been asking.
That goalkeeper selection proved controversial. Pochettino selected Matt Turner over Matt Freese against Belgium, despite Freese being first-choice according to multiple reports. Turner hadn't featured for the USMNT in 15 matches before the Belgium game, raising questions about the decision. According to Daily Express - Sport, former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel described being surprised that Turner played and suggested Pochettino did it to keep goalkeeper competition open. Friedel also told the outlet he expected Freese to play each of the four games before the World Cup.
I'm not concerned with the starting position and am focused on helping the team.
Compounding matters was a kit clash that drew significant attention. There was a kit clash between the US and Belgium due to similar colors, making it hard to distinguish teams according to multiple reports. The US wore its home 'Stripes' kit (red-and-white), and Belgium wore its away kit (light blue and pink). A US Soccer spokesperson stated that the kits were approved days in advance by match officials after side-by-side examination, and the federation confirmed the alternative navy 'Stars' jerseys were not brought due to prior kit approval. US officials considered fetching alternative kits at halftime but decided it was not viable, while a halftime kit change for Belgium was considered but their red home kits were already sent to their next match.
Players expressed frustration with the visual confusion. Christian Pulisic described the kit clash as 'difficult to deal with' and said everyone was shocked, while Weston McKennie noted it was not an excuse for the loss but made it hard to distinguish teams at a glance. Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana called the kit clash 'awful,' and fans and reporters complained about it on social media according to multiple reports.
I managed Freese with the US under-19s and praised him as physically excellent.
The defensive problems persisted in the subsequent match against Portugal. The USMNT returned to pre-World Cup friendly action against Portugal on Tuesday, March 31, with the match kicking off at 7pm ET according to research. Chris Richards and Auston Trusty partnered in central defense for the first time, while Christian Pulisic played much of the game as a central striker. Portugal scored goals in the 37th minute through Francisco Trincão and the 60th minute through João Félix, with research indicating Portugal will be Cristiano Ronaldo-less for the match.
Pulisic's personal struggles continued in that match. He missed several chances and earned a yellow card for frustration against Portugal, leading to his halftime substitution according to multiple reports. The captain has also failed to score for AC Milan this calendar year, adding to concerns about his form heading into the World Cup.
The kits were approved days in advance by match officials after side-by-side examination.
Pochettino's tactical system has shown some positive signs despite the results. The back three implemented last year has provided defensive stability according to multiple reports, and newcomers like Sebastian Berhalter, Patrick Agyemang, Alex Freeman, and Matt Freese have benefited from Pochettino's growing trust. The coach emphasized after the Belgium match, "The first half against Belgium was how the US wants to play, and the challenge is maintaining that level for 90 minutes." He added that when the US matched Belgium's intensity, they were even or better at times.
Injury concerns have limited lineup options. The USMNT suffered injuries to Johnny Cardoso and Auston Trusty during the window according to multiple reports, and Pochettino was unable to field his strongest lineup due to absences of Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, and Chris Richards (who returned for Portugal with a knee brace). The severity of Cardoso and Trusty's injuries remains unclear, as does their expected recovery timeline.
The alternative navy 'Stars' jerseys were not brought due to prior kit approval.
With the World Cup approaching rapidly, preparation time is limited. The match against Belgium was the first game of 2026 for the USMNT and the first of four friendlies before the World Cup according to research. Pochettino and Belgium manager Rudi Garcia both stated that the 5-2 scoreline flattered Belgium, but the defensive collapse raises urgent questions about what specific tactical adjustments or lineup changes the coach will implement.
Fan reaction has turned cautious after the heavy defeat. Research suggests fans are unlikely to be overly confident of the USA rediscovering their momentum in this international break after the defeat to Belgium, and poor results at the wrong time could spell disaster with the World Cup less than three months away. There will inevitably be plenty of fallout from the USMNT's defeat to Belgium according to research.
The kit clash was 'difficult to deal with' and everyone was shocked.
Several key questions remain unanswered as the team regroups. Beyond injury timelines, it is unclear who will be the starting goalkeeper for the remaining World Cup warm-up matches, with Freese stating, "I'm not concerned with the starting position and am focused on helping the team." The exact cause of the defensive collapse in the second half against Belgium requires analysis, and Pochettino must determine how to manage player morale and confidence after two consecutive defeats. According to Daily Express - Sport, Brad Friedel described managing Freese with the US under-19s and praised him as physically excellent, adding another layer to the goalkeeper debate as preparations continue.
The kit clash was not an excuse for the loss but made it hard to distinguish teams at a glance.
The kit clash was 'awful'.