This match serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the U.S. men's national team as it prepares for a World Cup on home soil. The strongest version of this narrative is that the U.S. was outclassed by a superior Belgian side in the second half, exposing defensive frailties that must be addressed before the tournament. Pochettino’s framing of the result as a "reality check" is credible—high-level opposition reveals gaps that weaker opponents might not. The U.S. showed promise in the...