03/28/26 04:52:00
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03/28 16:51 CDT Belgium blows out United States 5-2 in World Cup warmup that
exposes American defenders
Belgium blows out United States 5-2 in World Cup warmup that exposes American
defenders
ATLANTA (AP) --- Belgium blew out the United States 5-2 on Saturday in a World
Cup warmup that exposed the Americans' defensive difficulties, rallying from a
late first-half deficit on two goals by Dodi Lukbakio and one each from Zeno
Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere.
Weston McKennie put the U.S. ahead in the 39th minute with his 12th
international goal, his first in three years, but Debast and Onana began
Belgium's rally with their first international goals on a frustrating afternoon
for Matt Turner, the former No. 1 American goalkeeper who made his first
appearance since last June.
Debast scored in the 45th, Onana put the Red Devils ahead in the 53rd and De
Ketelaere converted a penalty kick in the 59th after a hand ball by U.S.
captain Tim Ream.
Lukbakio entered in the 62nd minute and beat Turner from long range in the
68th and 82nd minutes to build a 5-1 lead before a disappointed largely
pro-American crowd of 66,867 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of a World Cup
semifinal in July.
Patrick Agyemang scored for the U.S. in the 87th after Ricardo Pepi took
advantage of defensive misplay.
The U.S. lost a home game by three goals in which it scored the opening goal
for the first time since an 8-1 defeat to England in 1959, according to Opta.
Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games and has won six straight
against the U.S. since losing to the Americans at the initial World Cup in 1930.
The U.S. had entered with a five-game unbeaten streak that created optimism but
was missing several injured regulars.
McKennie put the Americans ahead when he took advantage of Johnny Cardoso's
pick to cut in front of Nicolas Raskin and volley Antonee Robinson's corner
kick past Senne Lammens.
American players debuted jerseys with red and white stripes that resemble a
waving flag.
With the roof closed in an air-conditioned stadium, fans booed the water breaks
in the middle of each half --- which will take place at each World Cup match.
Belgium was missing striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielders Leandro Trossard and
Hans Vanaken and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because of injuries and fitness
issues. The Red Devils play Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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