Round of 16 for USMNT: The danger & doom of Belgium

It was Kevin De Bruyne. It was Romelu Lukaku. It was defeat for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

On a muggy July 1 in Salvador, Brazil, in 2014, Belgium hung on for a 2-1 win over the USMNT in the 2014 World Cup Round of 16. “Hung on” because goals came late: the 93^rd (De Bruyne) and 105^th minute (Lukaku) in extra time for Belgium, and the 107^th for the USMNT. That was after Belgium pelted US goalkeeper Tim Howard goals with 27 shots, forcing 15 saves from the then 35-year-old.

It was five goal scorers – none of them named De Bruyne or Lukaku – who cashed-in for Belgium in a 5-2 “friendly” win over the U.S. Men’s National Team on March 28, 2026. The now 35-year-old De Bruyne clocked 73 minutes that day, while the now 33-year-old Lukaku missed the match due to injury.

On Monday in Seattle, in a Round of 16 rematch in the 2026 FIFA World Cup (the fifth match for both), the USMNT may face one of the oldest starting lineups in the tournament. Or they may face a younger, fresher Belgium starting eleven. Belgium manager Rudi Garcia gave his side – laboring behind Senegal 2-0 after 51 minutes in the Round of 32 – an injection of youth with subs of a 28, 21, and a 25-year-old after falling behind two to complement the insertion of Lukaku at halftime and the 34-year-old Thomas Meunier later.

Will it be fresh legs and fresh ideas from the start for Belgium who drew both Egypt and Iran (after Belgium went a man down) and skipped by New Zealand 5-1 before defeating Senegal 3-2 in a dramatic comeback thus far in the tournament? Or will it be the established guard? Either way, Belgium brings guile and experience.

Listen to our Shades of Red White and Blue podcast here for more: Belgium up next for USMNT

Red Devils danger

Belgium lines up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that sees striker Charles De Ketelaere drop into the midfield to create overloads, which Belgium uses to drag defenders out of spaces. The main danger man exploiting those spaces will likely be 24-year-old speedster Jeremy Doku.

That is danger for the US’s left flank of Antonee “Jedi” Robinson and Tim Ream. Robinson struggles defensively when tasked with limiting talented attackers and Ream, well, the 38-year-old ain’t winning any race ribbons at this Field Day. Worse yet, De Bruyne – the former Manchester City idol and current Napoli man – will sometimes drift wide right to orchestrate. These weapons may force the US’s Tyler Adams to help Robinson and Ream, creating even more gaps for the insightful Red Devils to manipulate.

Belgium’s five (sometimes six) in midfield will create a crowded midfield in the match as the U.S. employs a 3-4-2-1. The US will need to win the battle in midfield for second balls and win the tactical battle to deny Belgium’s flank play and Belgium’s feeding of Lukaku, whenever he enters the match. It was an entry ball into the 6’3”, 205 lbs, Napoli man that resulted in Belgium’s first goal in their comeback against Senegal.        

If Garcia starts a veteran-laden squad, the U.S. will have work to do. If Garcia puts out Belgium’s more youthful lineup employed in the comeback v Senegal, the US will have more work to do as Lukaku was given a partner up front in the adjustments as Belgium went with three in the back. Lukaku and a running partner, along with a more youthful and athletic Belgium squad could be the death knell for the U.S. Men’s National Team, keeping the US out of the quarterfinals, a spot they have not reached since 2002.

Belgium’s doom      

Go with what got you here: that is step one in the taking down of Belgium for the U.S. Men’s National Team. No matter who replaces impactful striker Folarin Balogun in the starting eleven (Update: Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended – The Athletic) attacking aggressively (mostly through the flanks) utilizing athleticism mixed with educated nuance and counter-pressing aggressively when losing possession will see the USMNT through to the quarterfinals.

In taking their 2-0 lead, Senegal, like Iran before them, smothered Belgium with high pressure up-front. And like the US has against Paraguay, Australia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senegal used their athleticism and triangular movement on the wings – a 3-man give-and-go out wide led to their first goal – to great effect. The pressure made Belgium sloppy on the ball, and combined with Belgium’s passive defending around their box, the Red Devils damned to a two-goal deficit.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will have to bring it for all 90 minutes, no doubt. Unlike in March, wing backs Sergino Dest and Alex Freeman, goalkeeper Matt Freese, midfielder Tyler Adams, and center back Chris Richards will be in the starting eleven. In that match, Weston McKennie scored the match opener to give the US the lead. It was lost during a 23-minute spell where it all fell apart for the US.

Senegal lost their lead when they were not smart with possession, still going route one and taking chances in unlikely situations when they should have pulled up and kept possession. They also began to lose battles in their own box. Belgium’s equalizer came when Senegal’s keeper rushed out to the six-yard box for a flighted ball and missed it. It was poor match management at its worst.

The US is too experienced for that pratfall. And if they play like they have been and grab an early lead, the US should be able to nullify Belgium’s danger.