Belgium beat USA 5-2 in a friendly
Brad Friedel warned that Belgium beat the USA 5-2 in a friendly, with Doku and Lukaku posing a particular threat by negating America's pace.
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Jul 2, 2026
Where this was said
USA's World Cup Chances: Belgium, Spain and Pochettino
At 26:40 · chapter starts 26:08
Joe Cole poses the question that the wider football world is asking: what is par for the USA at this World Cup? Brad Friedel is measured. Getting out of the group was the first target; winning one knockout game was the second. Both are achieved. Belgium are next and genuinely beatable — but Doku and Lukaku could negate America's pace, having beaten the USA 5-2 in a friendly with exactly that approach. If the USA beat Belgium, Spain would likely await and that's probably where the run ends — but Mauricio Pochettino's side won't embarrass themselves against anyone. Micah asks who is the best American player, and Brad's answer is unequivocal: Weston McKinney, whom he coached at under-19 level. When McKinney is fit and focused he is the most influential off-the-ball leader, and his versatility across virtually every position for Juventus makes him the squad's most valuable asset. Rob Beckett punctures the enthusiasm slightly by noting that when he was filming in Atlanta — a World Cup host city — barely anyone seemed to care, with the Knicks' NBA championship parade dominating the conversation instead. [1] — Brad Friedel "Brad Friedel set realistic expectations for the USA: get out of the group first, win one knockout game, then see. Belgium are beatable — bu…" 26:06
Weston McKinney — Brad's top US player
Brad Friedel, who coached McKinney with the US under-19 national team, named him as America's most influential and versatile player when at his best.
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