SAN JOSE, Calif. — The U.S. men’s national team has been on a high ever since the start of the FIFA World Cup. They’ve already made history by winning three World Cup matches in a single tournament for the first time and by setting a record with 10 goals to their name.
Next, the USMNT aims to extend their success by taking on a Belgium squad that was ranked No. 9 in the world prior to the tournament. However, the Red Devils have not performed like a top-10 team, needing a remarkable comeback against Senegal — scoring twice in the dying minutes of regulation — to reach extra time and ultimately advance to the round of 16.
For insights on both teams, ESPN consulted former U.S. men’s national team coach Bruce Arena to analyze how the match might unfold.
Belgium’s Strength ‘from the Goal Forward’
Arena has not been overly impressed with the U.S.’s prior opponents, noting that despite the FIFA rankings being imperfect, the Americans currently stand at 17th, higher than any of the four teams they have faced.
“Belgium has some quality players all the way from the goal forward,” Arena remarked to reporters on Thursday. “We haven’t encountered many teams whose starting eleven could be deemed superior to ours. A player from Bosnia-Herzegovina wouldn’t make our starting eleven, but Belgium will have several players that match or exceed our talent. It’s going to be a competitive match. I’m eager to see how it plays out.”
Belgium’s strengths begin with Real Madrid‘s Thibaut Courtois in goal and extend to midfield talents like Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne. The real threat emerges from the wings, particularly with Arsenal‘s Leandro Trossard and Manchester City‘s Jérémy Doku. Doku, in particular, has proven to be a difficult opponent to handle, having dominated the U.S. in a previous friendly that ended in a 5-2 loss for the Americans in March.
However, Doku has not been in top form during this tournament, having briefly left the Belgium squad for the birth of his first child. He, along with De Bruyne, was a substitute for Belgium’s noted comeback against Senegal. The question remains regarding his positioning, as he played on the left in the March match against the U.S. but was deployed on the right against Senegal.
Arena suggests a straightforward approach to counteract Doku’s impact.
“To contain him, you have to pair him with another defender, and they will be cognizant of that,” Arena explained. “Unfortunately, on the right side of the field, it’s Christian Pulisic who would likely be tasked with assisting [Antonee] Robinson in that endeavor, and personally, I wouldn’t prefer that scenario. But we’ll see how it goes.”
A notable player from their last World Cup encounter in 2014 is forward Romelu Lukaku. The Napoli striker scored during that famous 2-1 win in Salvador, Brazil, and has rejuvenated his performance in the tournament, netting two goals off the bench, including the one that ignited the comeback against Senegal. If he doesn’t start, he still poses a threat that Belgium manager Rudi Garcia can capitalize on.
‘No Change in Their Playstyle’
The atmosphere within the U.S. camp is brimming with confidence. It’s not just due to their wins; it’s the manner in which they’ve achieved them that fuels their belief in overcoming Belgium. The U.S. has implemented a relentless press that disrupts opponents and creates scoring opportunities deep in enemy territory.
As Arena put it, the U.S. is able to “play as a cohesive unit.”
This unity has intensified with Folarin Balogun gaining FIFA’s approval to participate. Initially red-carded in their round of 32 match against Bosnia, he was thought to be suspended but is now eligible to play alongside Pulisic as key contributors to the attack.
“Christian always faces pressure,” stated Arena. “I don’t believe this moment will be different.”
However, the team’s collective strength is evident. The Americans seem more cohesive than any prior iteration.
“This match is about the team dynamics; the U.S. has put a collective unit on the pitch. It’s not focused on any single player, although you could argue that Balogun has emerged as their standout performer in the World Cup thus far,” Arena stated. “With the home-field advantage, there’s no reason we can’t triumph over Belgium.”
Arena anticipates that manager Mauricio Pochettino will maintain his tactics, despite the fact that Belgium represents the most talented opponent the U.S. has encountered.
The U.S. must remain vigilant, recognizing that the Red Devils possess the skills to function effectively even in confined spaces. This could grant players like Doku, De Bruyne, and Trossard the room to exploit the U.S. during quick transitions. The responsibility lies with the U.S. midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Malik Tillman to prevent such chances from arising; Arena has expressed satisfaction with that trio’s performances to date.
“I think Adams does his job quietly, communicates well, and provides balance in the offensive midfield,” he observed. “This allows Tillman and McKennie the freedom to roam, while Adams remains a stalwart at the base. He has been performing admirably, and Tillman and McKennie have been exceptional.”
The U.S. finds itself in familiar territory, having advanced to the round of 16 in 2010, 2014, and 2022. They aim to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, and they remain confident that such a feat is achievable.