The U.S. men’s national team has produced a breakout World Cup, setting program records by winning three matches in a single tournament for the first time and scoring 10 goals. The Americans will attempt to extend that run against a Belgium side that entered the tournament ranked No. 9 in the world.
Belgium, however, has not looked like a top-10 team in the tournament and required an extraordinary finish against Senegal to advance. The Red Devils scored twice in the final five minutes of regulation to force extra time, where they ultimately prevailed to reach the round of 16.
For this scouting report, ESPN turned to former U.S. manager Bruce Arena to size up the matchup. Arena said Belgium presents quality “from the goal [and going] forward,” and warned that the Belgians will field half a dozen players of equal or greater caliber than the U.S. starting XI.
Arena pointed to Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielders Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne as spine pieces, while highlighting wide threats Leandro Trossard and Jérémy Doku. Arena noted Doku’s dribbling danger, recalling how he helped tear the U.S. apart in a 5-2 friendly in March, but added that Doku has not been sharp in this tournament and briefly left camp for the birth of his first child.
Deployment remains a question for Doku, who was on the left against the U.S. in March and used on the right versus Senegal. Arena suggested the U.S. must “stand him up with another player,” and said Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson would likely be tasked with that work on the right side, adding, “I would not prefer that, personally. We’ll see.”
Romelu Lukaku, a holdover from Belgium’s 2014 meeting with the U.S., has provided impact off the bench with two tournament goals, including the strike that initiated the comeback against Senegal. Arena noted Lukaku would be a wild card if not in the starting XI.
Confidence in the U.S. squad is high, bolstered by a withering press that has created chances deep in opponents’ territory. Arena said the Americans “play as a team,” and noted that Folarin Balogun has been deemed eligible by FIFA after a red card in the round of 32 against Bosnia, meaning Balogun and Pulisic will be counted on as attacking options.
