{"id":9263,"date":"2026-03-29T10:51:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T10:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/9263\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T10:51:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T10:51:11","slug":"fans-outraged-over-unwatchable-clash-between-usa-and-belgium-as-both-teams-wear-white","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/9263\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans outraged over ‘unwatchable’ clash between USA and Belgium as both teams wear white"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mauricio Pochettino’s United States suffered a chastening 5-2 loss against Belgium at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the hosts capitulating after the interval despite taking an early advantage.<\/p>\n

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie had given the Americans the lead in the 39th minute, converting from an Antonee Robinson corner to cap a promising opening period.<\/p>\n

However, the 15th-ranked USMNT’s defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Belgium’s pace across the pitch, with the visitors netting four times in the second half to complete a comprehensive victory.<\/p>\n

The match was marred by a bizarre kit clash that drew widespread criticism from supporters.<\/p>\n

Both nations took to the field wearing predominantly white strips, creating a bewildering spectacle that left fans struggling to distinguish between the two sides.<\/p>\n

The USMNT unveiled their new ‘Stars’ kit, featuring prominent red stripes on the front designed to evoke the American flag, though the reverse remained largely white.<\/p>\n

Belgium had reportedly requested that the hosts switch to an alternative strip, but the Americans declined.<\/p>\n

According to The Athletic, neither team had brought backup kits to the venue, and attempts to retrieve alternatives from team hotels after kick-off proved unsuccessful.<\/p>\n

\"USA<\/p>\n

Both nations took to the field wearing predominantly white strips<\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

TNTSPORTS<\/p>\n

Supporters took to social media to voice their anger.<\/p>\n

One fan wrote: “Whoever decided this was a smart idea is ridiculous.”<\/p>\n

Another said: “Who approved this kit matchup for the USA\/Belgium Friendly? It\u2019s truly unwatchable.”<\/p>\n

A third added: “This doesn\u2019t even happen in a U-6 rec game.”<\/p>\n

\"USA<\/p>\n

The USMNT unveiled their new ‘Stars’ kit<\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

GETTY<\/p>\n

The decision to implement hydration breaks proved equally baffling, given the stadium’s retractable roof was closed and the venue was fully air-conditioned.<\/p>\n

Play was halted after 20 minutes for the first stoppage, with a second break later in the match further frustrating those watching.<\/p>\n

One fan wrote on social media: “I didn’t (think) it could get more embarrassing after the uniform colors but here we are taking a hydration break inside an air-conditioned stadium. SMH!!!”<\/p>\n

The interruptions disrupted what had begun as an evenly contested encounter before Belgium seized control through goals from Zeno Debast and Amadou Onana.<\/p>\n

\"USA<\/p>\n

Belgium seized control through goals from Zeno Debast and Amadou Onana<\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

GETTY<\/p>\n

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku proved the most threatening presence on the pitch, tearing through Pochettino’s defence throughout the contest.<\/p>\n

Charles De Ketelaere converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-1, six minutes after Belgium had taken the lead, with captain Tim Ream’s handball gifting the visitors the opportunity.<\/p>\n

Dodi Lukebakio then struck twice, first curling a left-footed effort into the top corner in the 68th minute before adding another in the 82nd.<\/p>\n

Patrick Agyemang netted a late consolation for the Americans five minutes from time.<\/p>\n

Pochettino’s side face Portugal on Tuesday, with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to be absent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mauricio Pochettino’s United States suffered a chastening 5-2 loss against Belgium at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the hosts…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9264,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[7,499,1857,1849],"class_list":{"0":"post-9263","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-belgium","8":"tag-belgium","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-sport","11":"tag-world-cup"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@be\/116312085950719908","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9263"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9263\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}