US suffer a humbling defeat to Belgium, as World Cup preparations receive a reality check.

ATLANTA, March 29 — The United States suffered a 5-2 defeat to Belgium on Saturday, a heavy setback for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they continue preparations to co-host this summer’s World Cup.

The result served as a stark reminder just 75 days before the tournament for the Americans, who, despite a strong run of recent form, were once again exposed against top-tier European opposition.

“This is a good reality check for us, because now is the moment to experience this type of situation and improve,” said Pochettino. “We need to improve, of course.”

The US made a bright start against the world’s ninth-ranked side, with Weston McKennie opening the scoring to the delight of a 67,000-strong crowd in Atlanta.

However, any hopes of a statement win were quickly undone as Belgium responded with goals from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere, along with a brace from substitute Dodi Lukebakio.

Patrick Agyemang added a late consolation for the US, who face Portugal in another high-profile friendly on Tuesday before Pochettino names his final squad in May.

Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan forward and key figure for the national team, said the squad must “take this on the chin,” adding: “It was a tough loss. There are things we can do better. I have to improve. The team has to improve.”

Long regarded as underdogs on the international stage, the US appointed former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Pochettino to lead a growing squad featuring stars such as Pulisic and Juventus midfielder McKennie.

With the World Cup to be played on home soil, expectations are rising — but Saturday’s performance underlined the scale of the challenge ahead.

In an evenly contested opening half-hour, Belgium’s Jeremy Doku posed a constant threat down the left, though the US initially created better chances.

McKennie eventually broke the deadlock from a set piece delivered by Antonee Robinson, finishing at the back post after a corner.

Belgium equalised before half-time through a superb long-range strike from Debast, shifting momentum firmly in their favour.

After the break, Belgium took control, with Onana finishing from close range before De Ketelaere converted a penalty following a VAR review.

Pochettino questioned the decision, saying he did not believe it should have stood and expressing frustration over the lack of overturn after review.

Lukebakio then added two more goals as Belgium’s substitutes made an impact, before Agyemang pulled one back for the hosts in the closing stages.

By full-time, many fans had already left the stadium, with the match ending to subdued reactions from those remaining.

Despite the defeat, Pochettino said the experience could prove valuable ahead of the tournament.

“We were happy against Uruguay and Paraguay,” he said. “But sometimes feeling the pain is good.” — AFP