"The United States enters this friendly in buoyant form and eager to test themselves against elite opposition, having ended 2025 strongly with three consecutive wins."
"Defensive solidity has underpinned the USA's recent success, conceding no more than one goal in each of their last five matches and not allowing a second-half goal in their last six."
"Historically, the USA has struggled in calendar-year openers, losing their first match of the year on two of the last three occasions, but they enjoyed a strong start to 2025."
"The Americans have not beaten European opposition since edging Northern Ireland 2-1 in a 2021 friendly, and they have lost their last six competitive fixtures against teams from that continent."
The United States and Belgium meet in a friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking their first fixture of 2026. The USA enters the match in strong form, having won their last three matches and remaining unbeaten in five. Defensive solidity has been key, with no more than one goal conceded in recent games. Historically, the USA has struggled in year-openers and against European teams, having lost their last six competitive matches against them. Injury concerns affect the squad, limiting options for the match.
Read at Soccer News
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