As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the U.S. men’s national team began their year on a disappointing note, losing 5-2 to Belgium in Atlanta on Saturday.
Coming off a strong 4-0-1 record in their last five matches last year, the U.S. took the lead in the 39th minute thanks to Weston McKennie.
However, the game turned quickly with goals from Zeno Debast in the 45th minute, Amadou Onana in the 53rd, and Charles De Ketelaere converting a penalty in the 59th minute. Dodi Lukebakio then scored twice more in the 68th and 82nd minutes.
Patrick Agyemang netted a late goal, making it 5-2 in the 87th minute following a takeaway by Ricardo Pepi in front of Belgium’s goal.
The U.S. will begin World Cup play on June 12 against Paraguay, but coach Mauricio Pochettino is focusing on the Tuesday match against Portugal, which will serve as an important evaluation opportunity.
The team won’t play again until the roster announcement on May 26, followed by a match against Senegal in Charlotte three days later. They will wrap up their preparations on June 6 against Germany in Chicago.
McKennie’s goal came from a corner kick by Antonee Robinson; he managed to slip between two defenders, leap, and redirect the ball with his right foot. This was his 12th international goal and his first in three years.
Robinson made his return to the U.S. team after missing 2025 due to injuries. He was active from the start, forcing a save from goalkeeper Senne Lammens with a long-distance shot in the ninth minute, and he also had a close-range shot blocked by Lammens in the 17th minute.
Debast scored his first goal with a low shot from 25 yards that found the bottom left corner after U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner couldn’t control the ball following a save on Jeremy Doku’s shot.
Onana put Belgium ahead with a shot from the top of the box, and De Ketelaere converted a penalty after a handball by Tim Ream. Belgium took advantage of defensive mistakes for their last two goals, exploiting open spaces in the box.