USMNT Suffers Blowout Loss to Belgium in Atlanta

Despite a strong first half, the US men's national team collapsed in the second half against a dominant Belgium squad.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a soccer match between the USMNT and Belgium, with the players' forms abstracted into angular, overlapping shapes and the ball and field lines cutting across the canvas in a dynamic, kinetic composition.A cubist interpretation of the USMNT's hard-fought battle against a dominant Belgian squad, capturing the match's intensity and the team's struggle to keep pace.Atlanta Today

The United States men's national team suffered a 5-2 loss to Belgium in a friendly match played in Atlanta on Saturday. The Yanks looked good in the first half, with Weston McKennie giving them a 1-0 lead, but Belgium stormed back in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals to cruise to victory. Manchester City's Jeremy Doku and former teammate Kevin De Bruyne were the standouts for the Red Devils, picking apart the USMNT defense with their speed and precision.

Why it matters

The loss is a setback for the USMNT, which had been riding high after a strong end to 2025. The team's performance, especially in the second half, will raise questions about their progress under manager Mauricio Pochettino and their readiness to compete at the highest levels of international soccer.

The details

The USMNT dominated possession and had 21 shots in the first half, but could only manage a 1-0 lead through Weston McKennie's goal. Belgium equalized just before halftime through Zeno Debast, and then exploded in the second half, with goals from Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere, and a brace from substitute Dodi Lukebakio. Patrick Agyemang scored a late consolation goal for the US, but the damage had already been done.

  • The match was played on Saturday, March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • The USMNT took a 1-0 lead in the first half through Weston McKennie's goal.
  • Belgium equalized just before halftime through Zeno Debast's goal.
  • Belgium scored four unanswered goals in the second half to cruise to a 5-2 victory.

The players

Weston McKennie

The Juventus midfielder scored the opening goal for the USMNT.

Jeremy Doku

The Manchester City winger was a standout performer for Belgium, tormenting the USMNT defense with his speed and skill.

Kevin De Bruyne

The veteran Belgium midfielder also played a key role in his team's dominant second-half performance.

Mauricio Pochettino

The USMNT manager will be looking for answers after his team's collapse in the second half.

Patrick Agyemang

The USMNT substitute scored a late consolation goal for the home team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We just fell apart in the second half. Belgium's quality and speed overwhelmed us, and we couldn't find a way to respond.”

— Weston McKennie, USMNT Midfielder

“It's a tough result, but we'll learn from this experience and come back stronger. There are still positives to take away from the first half performance.”

— Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Manager

What’s next

The USMNT will look to bounce back from this defeat when they take on Mexico in a crucial World Cup qualifier on June 8th.

The takeaway

This loss serves as a reality check for the USMNT, highlighting the work still needed to compete with the world's elite teams. Pochettino and his players will need to regroup and find solutions to the defensive and tactical issues exposed by Belgium's second-half onslaught.