The United States men’s national team suffered what coach Mauricio Pochettino described as a reality check in its preparations for the World Cup as Belgium ran rampant in the second half to emerge emphatic 5-2 winners at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.
Weston McKennie rewarded the U.S. for an impressive start with the opening goal in the 39th minute as he turned in an Antonee Robinson corner at the back post for his 12th international goal and first in three years.
But Zeno Debast scored a long-range equalizer for Belgium on the stroke of halftime and the No. 9-ranked visitors scored three more times in a 15-minute spell in the second half to expose some defensive vulnerabilities for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.