Former Coach Advises: How USMNT Can Crack the Belgium Conundrum

Reporting from San Jose, California — The US Men's National Team's run at this World Cup has been impressive, setting multiple new team records: winning three matches in a single tournament for the first time, while also setting a new team high with 10 goals scored. Now, the team is set to face Belgium, ranked 9th in the world, but the "Red Devils" have not yet shown the dominance of a top-tier team. Against Senegal, Belgium scored two goals in the final five minutes of regulation to equalize, eventually advancing to the Round of 16 in dramatic fashion via extra time.

To gain deeper insight into both sides' preparations, the relevant media invited former USMNT head coach Bruce Arena to provide an in-depth analysis of Belgium and make predictions for the match. Arena is not convinced by the quality of the opponents the US has faced so far. He noted that despite the limitations of FIFA rankings, the US's current 17th-place ranking is higher than any of its previous four opponents.

"Belgium has excellent players from goalkeeper to forward," Arena said on Thursday. "It's hard to say that the starting 11 for the teams we've faced so far are better than ours. For example, none of Bosnia's starters would make our lineup. But Belgium is different; they have five or six players who are at our level or even better. This will be a real battle."

Belgium's strength begins with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and extends along the spine through midfielders Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne. The real threat comes from the flanks: Arsenal's Leandro Trossard and Manchester City's Jérémy Doku are both dangerous. Doku, in particular, stands out with his dribbling ability; he tore apart the US defense in a 5-2 friendly win in March. However, Doku has been out of form at this tournament, having left the squad briefly to be with his first child's birth. He has yet to regain his best form. In the comeback against Senegal, both he and De Bruyne were on the bench, and there are also questions about his positioning — he played on the left against the US in March but switched to the right against Senegal.

On how to contain Doku, Arena has a simple idea: "You have to double-team him with another player; they'll have a plan for that. Unfortunately, the player who will help Robinson double-team him on the right will be Pulisic. I personally wouldn't want to see that, but we'll see."

The two teams last met in a World Cup in 2014, when Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku was still on the team. The Napoli striker scored in the 2-1 win over the US in Salvador, Brazil. He seems to have enjoyed a resurgence this tournament, scoring two goals as a substitute, including the one that sparked the comeback against Senegal. Even if he doesn't start, he is a trump card for Belgium coach Garcia.

The mood in the US camp has never been higher. It's not just the wins, but the way they have won that has given them confidence they can beat Belgium. The US has employed a high-pressing, aggressive style that disrupts opponents and creates chances in their half. As Arena put it, the US "plays like a team."

This team identity has become even more apparent since Folarin Balogun became FIFA eligible. He was sent off with a red card in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia, and it was thought he would be suspended, but now he is available to play. He and Pulisic will be key figures in attack. "I think Christian has been under pressure," Arena said. "This time will be no different."

But that is also a testament to the US's team spirit. This US team is more united than any before it. "It's all about the team. The US has put out a real team. You could say Balogun has been the best player at this World Cup so far, but it's not about any individual," Arena said. "We have reason to believe that with home-field advantage, we can beat Belgium."

Arena said that while Belgium is the strongest opponent the US has faced, he expects coach Mauricio Pochettino not to change tactics. The US needs to be wary, as the "Red Devils" have the ability to escape tight spaces. This could allow Doku, De Bruyne, and Trossard to find counterattacking space and punish the US. The US midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Malik Tillman need to prevent these opportunities, but Arena said he is currently satisfied with their performances.

"I think Adams does his job quietly; he communicates well and gives the team balance in midfield both offensively and defensively," he said. "That gives Tillman and McKennie the freedom to roam, while Adams holds down the midfield. So Adams has done a great job, and Tillman and McKennie have also played well."

The US has reached this stage before — the Round of 16 in 2010, 2014, and 2022. To reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, they will need something special. The US is confident they have what it takes.