Tim Weah given horrid 3/10 rating and Mauricio Pochettino barely better in USA’s humiliation vs Belgium

Desperate Tottenham Hotspur supporters do not want this version of Mauricio Pochettino.

USA fans are also questioning Poch after what is supposed to become the most talented team in the country’s history was demolished 5-2 by Belgium on Saturday night.

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Pochettino’s rating isn’t pretty

While two mid-match hydration breaks and kits that looked the same dominated social media, the biggest loser for the United States Men’s National Team was its porous defense.

The return of Crystal Palace star Chris Richards following his knee injury should aid that struggling unit.

But USMNT turned Jeremy Doku into seemingly the fastest player in the world on Saturday in Atlanta, while an early 1-0 lead was erased by four second half goals for Belgium.

Right-back Tim Weah failed to deal with Manchester City winger Doku and received a 3 /10 rating from talkSPORT – the lowest of any player on the pitch.

Pochettino was also one of the biggest losers, despite pre-match hype that he could carry the USA past the Round of 16 in the biggest World Cup in history.

There were a couple positives for UMSNT, though.

Weston McKennie can be a game-changer

The Juventus star should have had two goals on Saturday.

His first good look was a perfect opportunity, and a stunned McKennie couldn’t believe that he didn’t find the back of the net.

Longtime USA star Tab Ramos praised McKennie before the match.

“If he has a good World Cup, we have a real good shot at doing really well,” Ramos exclusively told talkSPORT.

McKennie’s opening goal in the 39th minute was the peak of the night for USMNT.

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Antonee Robinson is critical for USA in 2026

While Richards continues to recover from a knee knock, Fulham left-back Robinson returned to the starting XI.

He immediately made an impact, then set up McKennie’s goal from his whipped in corner.

Pochettino has made it clear that he believes in Robinson.

He was at the center of the USA’s best early action in Atlanta and must keep moving forward as the World Cup nears.

Hard to find a third winner in Atlanta

Folarin Balogun had a nice shot at goal, while Ricardo Pepi drew attention off the bench.

It really was the McKennie and Robinson show for USMNT, and the lights went off in the second half.

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Another big miss for Christian Pulisic

Now onto the biggest losers vs Belgium …

Pulisic became visibly frustrated at the 51-minute mark, letting USA fans throughout the stadium see his annoyance.

His best looks failed to produce goals and the drought continued for the big US name from AC Milan.

Pulisic is supposed to be America’s best soccer player.

He was very much average against Belgium and again appeared to feel the external pressure.

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Pochettino was hired to fix these problems

“I think when you hire a coach of this magnitude, I think you want to go a little bit further than you’ve gone before,” Ramos told talkSPORT.

“And I think a lot of people are thinking along the lines that I’m thinking right now.” 

After Saturday’s laugher inside an NFL stadium, USA supporters are thinking different thoughts about the former Chelsea, PSG and Tottenham manager.

Pochettino struggled to find his touch with USMNT during his first year on the new job.

“The biggest challenge has been that it took Pochettino so long to figure out what it what it took for this team to tick,” Ramos said.

Poch failed to get anything out of his squad in the second half, which only got worse as the drawn-out hydration breaks continued.

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Three months to fix a troubling defense

All of the talk entering the friendly vs Belgium was that the USA was building a tougher squad that wasn’t afraid of tense moments.

“With Poch coming in, he kind of instilled this fight that we needed,” Richards exclusively told talkSPORT.

“We’ve really embraced it over the last year or so with him coming in. When you’re able to do that, your quality will eventually come out on the ball.

“I think it’s making sure that no team goes up there and outplays you or at least outworks you. That’s something you can always control.”

Not on Saturday night, when USMNT’s defense was throttled over and over.

The struggle against European teams isn’t new.

But the USA must rebound against Portugal on Tuesday, and play some decent defense that at least looks World Cup-caliber.

talkSPORT's USMNT vs Belgium player ratings

STARTING XI

Matt Turner – 4

Antonee Robinson – 6

Tim Ream – 4

Mark McKenzie – 5

Tim Weah – 3

Tanner Tessmann – 6

Johnny Cardoso – 5

Christian Pulisic – 5

Malik Tillman – 6

Weston McKennie – 7

Folarin Balogun – 5

MANAGER

Mauricio Pochettino – 4

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