The U.S. men's national team lost 5-2 to Belgium in a match that was held down by the team's most talented lineup, but still showed signs of improvement. The loss was a reality check for the team, with coach Mauricio Pochettino stating that the team was not aggressive enough and lacked the energy to maintain the intensity of the game. The team's performance was questioned as a lack of identity and intensity. The decision to schedule a series of top opponents in the lead-up to the World Cup highlights the need for consistency in how the team begins and finishes the game, particularly in key areas like the energy spent chasing the ball and not being aggressive enough.