All articles tagged with #usmnt
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose contract runs through the 2026 World Cup, says he’s focused on the World Cup and USMNT friendlies, while leaving a slim open possibility of a future return to European soccer; he praised Tottenham amid relegation anxiety and managerial turnover and is not pursuing the Spurs job now.
A 5-2 defeat to Belgium provides a blunt reality check for the USMNT, emphasizing that sustained, maximum intensity against world-class teams is essential if they want to advance at the World Cup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino urges a 26-man, all-in mentality and warns against complacency, with upcoming tests like Portugal serving to gauge whether the team can apply these lessons and avoid a dangerous drop-off in intensity from start to finish.
The U.S. men’s national team led Belgium briefly, but four unanswered goals after halftime propelled Belgium to a 5-2 victory in a World Cup warm-up. Turner and Antonee Robinson offered bright moments, but defensive gaps and lineup questions underscored the need to regroup ahead of Portugal and the June tournament. Pochettino still gave his best available players a look as he gears up for final roster decisions.
USMNT showed promise in the first half but were overwhelmed in the second, falling 5-2 to Belgium in Atlanta as Doku, De Bruyne and Lukebakio struck. The piece weights every player’s performance, highlighting Robinson (7.5) and McKennie (7) as bright spots, with subs Pepi (7) and Agyemang (7) contributing key moments, while it raises questions about Pochettino’s plan and the defense’s second-half lapse.
An indoor, climate-controlled USMNT vs Belgium friendly featured mandatory hydration breaks to mirror World Cup conditions, prompting tactical pauses from both coaches. Pochettino criticized the breaks for breaking rhythm, while Garcia welcomed them as strategic, and players noted safety and fit considerations. A jersey mix-up—US wearing stripes against Belgium’s lighter away kit—caused visibility confusion on the field, with US Soccer later clarifying the selection process.
Belgium routed the USMNT 5-2 in Atlanta, turning a 1-1 halftime score into a five-goal collapse and exposing defensive lapses under Mauricio Pochettino as the US heads into the World Cup.
The USMNT faces Belgium in a March friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Miles Robinson and Chris Richards ruled out due to injuries. A new rule allows up to 11 substitutions per side, enabling heavy rotation as players audition for the World Cup roster, while Belgium may rest a couple of stars. Kickoff is 3:30 pm ET (12:30 pm PT) with TV coverage on TNT and truTV (English), Telemundo and Universo (Spanish), and streaming on HBO Max, Peacock, and FuboTV.
The USMNT (led by Mauricio Pochettino) hosts Belgium in an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, March 28, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET. In the U.S., the match airs on TNT and TruTV and is streamed on HBO Max, with Spanish coverage on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock. Belgium’s coverage comes via RTL TV/Sporza/RTL Play, while UK viewers can use Premier Sports Player/2; Mexico streams on ESPN Mexico or Disney+ Premium, and Canada has no scheduled broadcaster. This game serves as a World Cup‑cycle tune‑up ahead of June friendlies and squad selection, featuring stars like Christian Pulisic and Kevin De Bruyne.
USMNT faces Belgium in an Atlanta international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Matt Turner in goal and a starting XI anchored by captain Tim Ream, plus Christian Pulisic, Balogun, Weah, McKennie and Malik Tillman. Johnny Cardoso earns his first USMNT appearance against a Top-10 opponent, while Turner returns for the first time since June 2025 and Ream will captain for the 26th time. Not dressed due to injury are Chris Richards and Miles Robinson. Substitutes include Freese, Brady, Schulte, Trusty, Roldan, Reyna, Pepi, Aaronson, Berhalter, Freeman, Arfsten, Scally, Morris and Agyemang. The USMNT is 1-5-0 all-time versus Belgium; teams are allowed 11 substitutions across three moments. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET; pre-game coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on TNT, Telemundo, Universo, HBO Max and Peacock.
With 11 weeks to the World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino says finding the right midfield combination will be a brutal, ongoing process as Tyler Adams’ injury limits options and a deep pool—including Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessmann and Johnny Cardoso—contend for spots ahead of the May 26 roster deadline.
US head coach Mauricio Pochettino frames the USMNT's home World Cup as a test of belief rather than fear, drawing lessons from Argentina’s 1994-98 struggles; he and star captain Christian Pulisic emphasize motivation and unity as they navigate expectations, with Pochettino's upbeat, bond-building approach aimed at keeping the team confident yet grounded ahead of friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
In Atlanta, the USMNT host Belgium in a high-profile international friendly with Matt Turner starting in goal for the first time since June, as Mauricio Pochettino tests his lineup. The US defense features Mark McKenzie and Tim Ream at center-back with Antonee Robinson at left back, and Balogun up top supported by a midfield trio around Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Malik Tillman. Belgium counters with Kevin De Bruyne behind Charles De Ketelaere and wings from Jérémy Doku and Alexis Saelemaekers. Early moments include Robinson winning a corner, Pulisic testing the Belgian keeper, and a Tillman–Pulisic combination forcing a save as the game gets underway.
Mauricio Pochettino has named a 27-player USMNT training-camp group, signaling a near-final core built over a year of experimentation for the 2026 World Cup, blending established stars with rising players while keeping the door open to late roster changes due to injuries and form.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino says the 27-man roster for the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal is not the final World Cup squad, with cuts and recalls planned as he continues to evaluate players and shape his system. Injuries to Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest and Haji Wright complicate decisions, while Gio Reyna remains a bubble option and players like Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Berhalter and Christian Pulisic stay central; Noahkai Banks is not in this camp but remains on the radar for future selection.
US head coach Mauricio Pochettino named a 27-player USMNT squad for two March friendlies in Atlanta (vs Belgium on March 28 and vs Portugal on March 31), as he refines his pool ahead of the World Cup 2026. Notable omissions include Tyler Adams, returning from injury, and Diego Luna, who missed out due to a knee issue.