USMNT vs. Belgium live updates: Score, highlights, key moments from World Cup tune-up

The road to a home World Cup runs through Atlanta on Saturday as Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. men’s national team kicks off its final stretch of preparations against Belgium in one of its toughest pre-tournament tests.

With roster decisions looming, Saturday’s match feels far more important than a typical friendly. The U.S. is thin in defense, with Chris Richards and Miles Robinson ruled out, which puts added pressure on the remaining center backs to deliver against a high-level opponent.

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Belgium is not the same golden generation that dominated a decade ago, but the talent is still there. Rudi Garcia’s side bring the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne, even with Leandro Trossard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois sidelined.

For the U.S., the attacking group is intact. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun give this team real firepower and a clear opportunity to measure this group against elite competition.

Follow our live blog below for all the latest updates from Atlanta:

Live26 updatesSat, March 28, 2026 at 1:59 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Charles De Ketelaere cashes in on his penalty chance and the Belgians have a two-goal lead with a half hour to play.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:58 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Jérémy Doku continues to cause issues on the left side. A follow up chance went of Tim Ream’s arm and after a VAR review Belgium will get a penalty.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:54 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Moments after Christian Pulisic skied a chance in front of the Belgium net, the Red Devils counter and grab the lead.

Amadou Onana finished off an Alexis Saelemaekers pass for his first international goal early in the second half.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:45 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Cristian Roldan enters as a sub for Johnny Cardoso for the U.S.

No changes for Belgium.

U.S. 1, Belgium 1

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:36 PM PDT

Yahoo Sports Staff

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:28 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Weston McKennie’s 39th-minute goal and Zeno Debast’s equalizer leaves us level after the opening 45 minutes.

Possession: Belgium 58.8%, U.S. 41.2%
Shot attempts: Belgium 13, U.S. 8
Shots on goal: Belgium 4, U.S. 4
Corner kicks: Belgium 5, U.S. 4
Fouls: Belgium, 4, U.S. 2

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:24 PM PDT

Yahoo Sports Staff

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:24 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

After Matt Turner punched Jérémy Doku’s chance out of the U.S. box, Zeno Debast blasted a long-range shot past the American keeper to level the match.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:17 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

McKennie made a backside run and Antonee Robinson’s corner kick found him for the redirect.

1-0 U.S. after 38 minutes.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:14 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 1:01 PM PDT

Yahoo Sports Staff

Doku nearly turned up the heat vs. McKennie, but the American held on to his jersey a bit too long and gets booked.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:56 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Malik Tillman’s corner goes right through the Belgium box, landing at the feet of McKennie. The Juventus star had a Grade-A chance, but was denied by Lammens’ hand.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:53 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Building out of the back, Tim Ream’s pass to Weston McKennie was touched off and sent Christian Pulisic into the Belgium end. Unfortunately for the USMNT, Pulisic’s shot went low and wide, not challenging Senne Lammens.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:49 PM PDT

Yahoo Sports Staff

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:49 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Antonee Robinson with a free hit from just outside the Belgium box is pawed away by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:38 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

The USMNT and Belgium have kicked off in the first of two friendlies this international window from Atlanta. On Tuesday, the U.S. will take on a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal side.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 28: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States during warmups prior to playing Belgium during an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 28: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States during warmups prior to playing Belgium during an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)

(John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images)Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:37 PM PDT

Yahoo Sports Staff

Mauricio Pochettino sticking with the 4-2-3-1 shows he’s starting to lock in a consistent system before the World Cup. It’s notable because the USMNT previously leaned more toward a 4-3-3, so this signals a shift toward a more stable, clearly defined tactical setup. Unfoturnately, that backline is missing Chris Richards, who will stabilize the defense even more once he returns.

Yahoo Sports screenshot

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:32 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

Sat, March 28, 2026 at 12:06 PM PDT

Sean Leahy

With the World Cup on the horizon, the U.S. backline has failed to coalesce as well as other areas in Mauricio Pochettino’s roster arrangement.

And now, heading into massive tests against Belgium on Saturday and Portugal on Tuesday, injuries to two regulars are complicating Pochettino’s plans and opening opportunities for experimentation.

Chris Richards — the team’s best center back and as close to a certain World Cup starter as almost anyone invited to this nine-day camp — is experiencing knee issues and will probably miss both Mercedes-Benz Stadium friendlies.

Miles Robinson, who started three of the previous four matches, suffered a groin injury and “for sure” is out of the two games, Pochettino said Friday.

USMNT vs. Belgium live updates: Score, highlights, key moments from World Cup tune-up

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