00:05U.S. Soccer on TNT is presented by Marriott Bonvoy.
00:10We are just 59 days away from the U.S. World Cup squad being named
00:14and 75 days from the tournament's opening game.
00:18Maurizio Pochettino's men are on a five-match unbeaten run
00:22as they arrive here at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on Belgium.
00:27Kyle, moments of big opportunity for many of these players.
00:31Some on both sides have experienced World Cups before,
00:34including Christian Pulisic for the U.S. and Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium.
00:38Yeah, it's going to be amazing to watch these two talents in person.
00:41Two former Chelsea players that had much different careers after Chelsea
00:45and they were there, but two talents that are going to be the key to the match today for sure.
00:51Atlanta is a city that has soccer running through its veins
00:55and today it provides the stage for another significant step towards a home World Cup
01:01for the United States.
01:05We're on the way here at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Belgium kicking things off here.
01:10The first meeting between these nations since the 2014 World Cup round of 16,
01:16which Belgium won by two goals to one after extra time.
01:20United States in a Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica.
01:23Down the right side comes Moutier.
01:25Moutier's ball into the middle.
01:26Riem tries to clear it away.
01:28Driven in from the edge of the box and over the top of the pile there by Raska,
01:32the Rangers midfielder.
01:39When we were talking about it, definitely as we were going over lineups,
01:42it's going to be a lot of interchanging on top.
01:46And Riem does well to deflect that first one.
01:48It's bouncing at a difficult height.
01:50Tillman comes across to take it.
01:53Played every minute of the Gold Cup last year.
01:56They go short this time.
01:58Pulisic linking up here with Tillman.
02:00Lays it across.
02:01Anthony Robinson to drive it in!
02:03That's safe.
02:05Levin's the Manchester United keeper getting down well.
02:07He's in today with Thibaut Courtois out injured.
02:10Here's De Bruyne.
02:11De Bruyne's crossfield ball.
02:13I've never seen him do that before.
02:14Don't say that too loud.
02:15The fourth official's going to look over here.
02:19Tillman then with this delivery.
02:22Third corner in towards that front post.
02:24All the way towards McKinney at the back!
02:26What a stop from Lowens!
02:28The Manchester United keeper comes up big at close range
02:31to deny the United States an opener.
02:34Here's to Bruyne.
02:36He's got Dahlkou.
02:37He's played at the back lately at club level.
02:42Tillman with a really good run forward.
02:44And Pulisic able to pick up the pieces here on the edge of the box.
02:47Christian Pulisic trying to carve something out here.
02:50Comes back towards Weston McKinney.
02:53Robinson.
02:59Well, it's safe for Tillman.
03:00That's for Balligan.
03:01Balligan strikes!
03:03Lovin's with a save.
03:04Low to his left.
03:05Is he really here?
03:06Yeah, he is.
03:07Oh, man.
03:07I played against that guy.
03:08Didn't get near him.
03:09What a beautiful player.
03:10The next pull we should do is who has the better set of hair?
03:12Are you?
03:13Oh, yeah.
03:13Kyle, Kevin, De Bruyne, or Altibe Valtadrama?
03:18Dahlkou towards the byline here.
03:20And Turner gets attached to it.
03:21And it's just locked in on the goal line.
03:23But the flag is up.
03:24Or in fact, it's handball.
03:26It won't count.
03:32He's not arguing it at all.
03:36A little bit fortunate because this could hit any part of his body.
03:40Now, as that's coming through, it could very easily just come off that chest.
03:47Anthony Robinson across to the far side to take this one.
03:52Robinson's ball to McKinney!
03:57It's Weston McKinney with a goal.
04:01The club and country, a man in confident mood.
04:06And it's 1-0 for the United States.
04:16Watch where he comes from.
04:17He just breathes so quickly.
04:22Looks like it was Salimakis who just doesn't see him.
04:24And it wasn't his man initially.
04:26And that is such a wonderful touch.
04:29I mean, he knows all he's got to do is just shape that foot.
04:31The ball was excellent.
04:33It had pace on it.
04:34It froze the goalkeeper because it had so much pace.
04:36It wasn't at that height that he could go challenge it.
04:40Let me see his signature celebration.
04:43The reaction from Pochettino.
04:45But what a lovely finish there from Weston McKinney.
04:48The Salimakis here just outside the box.
04:51De Bast.
04:53Hooked on by Decaipa.
04:55De Bruyne finds Doku.
04:59Back for Kevin De Bruyne!
05:05Looked like it took a deflection.
05:06Well, Belgium certainly wanted that.
05:10Both.
05:12Last summer.
05:14Feats against Turkey and Switzerland.
05:19That's for the ball out to Doku down the left side.
05:23Doku causing problems.
05:25Again, Matt Turner with the save.
05:28All the way out for De Bast to drag it in!
05:31Belgium are level in the final minutes of the first half in Atlanta.
05:36De Bast from distance with a first international goal.
05:46You could be critical of giving up a goal when they give up a goal.
05:51That's just an excellent strike.
05:52Turner does everything he can do.
05:54Players are coming out there.
05:55That is just a phenomenal strike.
05:58Watch this ball.
06:01And it's nutting it a little bit.
06:03You could say, you know, Ream's got to get a foot stat.
06:06It goes to the crowd.
06:07But that all is traveling at such an incredible speed.
06:11I think Turner just, he sees it a little late just because it comes through so many legs.
06:15So, obviously, awful time to give up a goal.
06:17But what a strike from De Bast.
06:24Johnny Cardoso.
06:29The Bruin is balling towards the edge of the box for Salamakas.
06:32He drives it in.
06:33Turner powers away.
06:37And the flag is up.
06:46Matt Turner called into action.
06:48A number of times now towards the end of the half as the whistle goes.
06:53At the end of the first 45 minutes here.
06:55Here comes to Bruin.
06:56Doku down the left side.
06:58The Cattellera is in the middle.
07:00If Doku can find him.
07:01Doku against McKenzie.
07:04And now it's another.
07:06It's 2-1 Belgium.
07:14Amadou Anadou with his first international goal.
07:26And just right here, McKenzie.
07:28He does a good job of slowing.
07:32Doku down.
07:33He gets a challenge on there.
07:34It just falls right here as the U.S. are crowding.
07:37And you wonder if Tillman can slide and hit the ground.
07:39You know, at this point as that ball is coming out,
07:42the best way you can try to make this block is just go to ground.
07:44Right here.
07:45And it just goes right through his legs.
07:49And you can see Matt Turner.
07:50I mean, nothing he could do about that.
07:51He's trying to set his feet.
07:52He's sliding across.
07:53But he's just well outside of his reach.
07:56And just, Tillman, you wonder if he goes and hits ground.
08:00And he's definitely making the block and forcing another touch out of Anana.
08:04And Turner furious.
08:08Matt Turner beats him for those games against Paraguay and Uruguay.
08:11November started both games in October against Ecuador.
08:15And Australia.
08:16His Doku down the left side.
08:19Doku against Ware.
08:21Doku's ball in.
08:22Gets the return.
08:23It's Doku all the way through.
08:24Oh, Turner with a big save.
08:25And Turner once again.
08:27What a stop for Matt Turner.
08:31But the referee, I think, has pointed at the penalty spot for a handball.
08:37Is it Tim Rehm?
08:39It looked like it took a little deflection as it comes through to Matt Turner.
08:48I mean, what about this ball?
08:51Oh, boy.
08:52The best.
08:53That's about as good.
08:54I mean, obviously, he had that strike with the goal.
08:57That's a wonderful, world-class ball.
08:58I mean, what about this one, too?
09:00It's just absolutely lovely.
09:01Turner comes up with a huge save.
09:04And he gets in.
09:05It's an handball.
09:06Now, watch his left arm.
09:07Tim Rehm, it just goes up right here.
09:12Does it hit his hand?
09:16There is VAR today.
09:18I don't know if that touches his arm.
09:22That look.
09:23That look tells you maybe it does.
09:26I don't know.
09:28I don't know if that touches his arm.
09:29You know, but you could see the ball.
09:31And look at that Nike switch.
09:33It changes directions at one point.
09:34And you just wonder what created that deflection.
09:37No pen?
09:38Of course you would say that.
09:40Of course you would say that.
09:41But great save.
09:42He says, no pen, but great save.
09:44It's just, it's so tough.
09:45It's so tough to tell.
09:49Yeah, he's sensing them.
09:52Action is the only thing that maybe gives you a hit.
09:56It's a handball.
09:58It's not conclusive enough with that replay to reverse it, though.
10:03The Catalera against Matt Turner.
10:07For the chance to give Belgium a two-goal advantage.
10:16The Catalera scores.
10:20It's 3-1 Belgium.
10:28The Catalera, emphatic from the spots.
10:35I mean, it's an amazing save from Turner.
10:37I'll say that.
10:38Handball or no handball.
10:40And then this is just too smooth.
10:46And Turner just thinking he'll close his hips with that left foot.
10:48And bring that ball to Turner.
10:51Ball across to that far side.
10:5322-year-old defender from Lille.
10:56One of the changes made here by Rudy Garcia.
10:58As Belgium come forward down the right side with Mouniang.
11:04Doku wanted it.
11:04And the ball goes all the way from that right side.
11:08Straight in.
11:08It didn't need to come back to Doku.
11:15Let's go back here with a superb strike.
11:18And Belgium have four.
11:28That's kind of the theme of the day, right?
11:30These isolated 1v1 positions.
11:33Wide.
11:34Let's go back here.
11:35At this point, when he picks up the ball.
11:38It's just so easy for him.
11:39Gets in on that left foot.
11:40And Arsene's nowhere near him.
11:43I mean, he's got to cheat him down that line.
11:45And you can see his all left foot.
11:46He wants it there.
11:47And just really poor defending from Arsene.
11:49Let's him in on his favorite foot.
11:51And then that's a lovely finish.
11:55But those isolated 1v1 positions.
11:58Just the help.
11:59In the first half hour, it was there.
12:01And since then, they just haven't had an answer for a win.
12:06These Belgian players put their head down and take them on 1v1.
12:09I mean, beautiful skill, great pace.
12:11But just too easy getting on that left foot.
12:18Freeman's 14th cap launches it.
12:20One long towards Ajiman.
12:22Couldn't quite get there as his ball is hoisted high.
12:25Boeholter gets ahead to it.
12:26Vitzel will look to clear it away.
12:28Neat play there as the referee just takes out Telemans.
12:36No one isn't going to get to that anyway.
12:47That's unlucky for the U.S.
12:48I mean, Telemans are that ball.
12:51Plenty of space in the midfield here as it's brought forward by Decaz.
12:55White to Luke Pacquiao on the right side.
12:58He's already got one today.
12:59Roald Datton is able to get there and get a touch to that one.
13:02Before Castanio couldn't do anything about it.
13:05Inside for Luke Pacquiao once again.
13:10Now it comes all the way for Luke Pacquiao.
13:18He's got a second.
13:20Belgium have a fifth here in Atlanta.
13:30Here in Atlanta.
13:36I mean, nearly a facsimile of the goals we've seen.
13:40I mean, it's just unacceptable that that easy ball comes in through the lines and it comes right to Lecchio.
13:48And he can turn.
13:50He's definitely onside.
13:51And then Berhalter there just trying his best to try to collect that rather than just clear it.
13:57Trying to maybe cut it underneath him.
14:00Pacquiao just so easy.
14:02Puts it in.
14:02So many times we've seen this goal.
14:05Wide positions.
14:06Too easy.
14:06Too much space.
14:08And then a cutback to a wide open player.
14:12Just not good enough defensively from the U.S.
14:14I mean, this just goes to show you, you can't afford some of these minor little lapses.
14:19Some of these switch-offs.
14:20It's a second international brace for Luke Pacquiao.
14:27He's doubled his goals tally today.
14:33Rolled forward here.
14:34It's a chance for Pender.
14:35And Turner gets down to make the save.
14:44Lois Appenda is the player down right now.
14:47That's a great save from Turner.
14:50You can see he just gets his ankle stepped on by McKenzie.
14:54And Turner makes it great.
14:56Tied 1-1 at halftime.
14:58Four second-half goals from Belgium.
15:00Spitzel plays it out to Castagne on the far side.
15:08And now it's closed down.
15:10Adjeman!
15:11Belgium turning possession over.
15:14And Patrick Adjeman able to add to his international goals tally.
15:23Number six for Adjeman for the U.S.
15:27And really well done here.
15:29Watch.
15:29Ricardo Pepe just right away going to chase that.
15:34And you never expect a player like Dillemans to give that ball away.
15:38But you've got to give Ricardo Pepe credit.
15:40It goes away some of the small details that can make you a better player both on and off the
15:45pitch.
15:45Here's Scali with the ball looped in towards Pepe.
15:48Drops for Adjeman who tries the spectacular.
15:56Nice ingenuity.
15:57I mean, not a bad idea.
15:59He's got time to take this down.
16:01He can probably just take a touch and maybe see if he can find someone behind him.
16:04But I love the confidence.
16:16The whistle goes here in Atlanta.
16:19And it is a heavy defeat for the United States here against Belgium.
16:23Despite taking the lead through Weston McKinney in the 39th minute of play.
16:29Patrick Adjeman pulled one back late.
16:31But by then the damage had already been done.
16:34As Belgium scored five unanswered goals.
16:38U.S. soccer on TNT is presented by Marriott Bonvoy.
16:42Stay with us.
16:43The postgame show is on the way from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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