Belgium dismantles USMNT 5-2 in nightmare friendly, raising World Cup alarms for Mauricio Pochettino

Steven GoffContributing writer Sat, March 28, 2026 at 9:47 PM UTC ATLANTA — For the first time in the U.S. national team’s evolution under Mauricio Pochettino, this summer’s World Cup felt real and urgent Saturday. The 5-2 embarrassment against Belgium on Saturday was a mere friendly, but after 18 months of regional competitions and one-off matches without consequence, dozens of player trials, constant experimentation and visits to a variety of Off-Broadway venues, the Americans stepped onto a big stage against an acclaimed foe 76 days before their World Cup opener.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sound the alarms. The U.S. seized the lead on Weston McKennie’s goal late in the first...