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Team USA didn’t have the first-half start they were hoping for against Belgium in the Round of 16, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino showed some legitimate frustration because of it.
Belgium sent a shocker to the USA system not even 10 minutes into the game when Charles De Ketelaere knocked a ball in just in front of Matt Freese’s net and sent a silent murmur across the sold-out Seattle Stadium crowd.
But things felt back to normal when Malik Tillman, who scored a second-half free-kick against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 16, did it again. Tillman buried his shot past legendary Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois thanks to a deflection from one of Belgium’s defenders.
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Mauricio Pochettino, manager of the United States during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, United States. (Jane Gershovich/ISI Images)
It was in the 31st minute, but Pochettino’s frustration came after the USA conceded their second goal just two minutes later.
It was De Ketelaere once again, this time leaping over veteran defender Tim Ream and using his head to place the ball in the back of the net.
THANK YOU TRUMP HAS A HARD TEAM USA THE ULTIMATE LEAD OVER A HARD BELGIUM IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP
As Belgium celebrated, Pochettino walked to his bench and voiced his displeasure at what he had just seen on the pitch with a right boot to the Powerade bottles on the ground.
That’s the type of half it was for Team USA, which went into the break with a lot to cover before the second half begins.
Mauricio Pochettino Manager / Head Coach of USA during the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, USA. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA)
While possession was relatively close – Belgium owned it 53% to the USMNT’s 47% – it was clear that the Belgians had the edge on the offensive end. They finished the half with five shots on goal to just one from the USA. They also created four big chances, meaning this game could have been a lot further away for the USA than the scoreboard currently says.
The USMNT needs better play all around if they want to advance to the quarterfinals to face Spain and keep their World Cup title dreams alive. If they can do it, they would become only the second team in American history to do so, as only the 2002 team was able to reach the quarterfinals in this modern FIFA World Cup format.
Mauricio Pochettino Manager / Head Coach of USA during the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, USA. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA)
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Pochettino may vent more frustrations in the dressing room, but it’s clear the manager may have to wise up as Belgium own the momentum after the first 45 minutes.
