Adams and McKennie must muzzle Tielemans' late menace
A midfield three against Belgium's double pivot — and the man who scored twice against Senegal is the one to watch.
The USA send out a 4-3-3, with Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman across the middle. Christian Pulišić and Folarin Balogun lead the front line. It's built to run at people.
Belgium answer with a 4-2-3-1: Nicolas Raskin and Amadou Onana screening, Youri Tielemans floating ahead of them. Tielemans scored twice in Belgium's most recent game, a 3-2 win over Senegal. Behind him, Thibaut Courtois. Give that midfield a yard and it hurts you.
The numbers say goals. Both teams have played open, high-scoring matches lately, averaging well over 2.5 per game. Belgium are unbeaten in five — three wins, two draws. The USA have won three of their last five but lost two. When these two met in 2026, it finished USA 2-5 Belgium.
Bookmakers call it close and hard to split. So do I — if the Adams-led trio can't pin Tielemans down, this tilts Belgium's way.
Written and fact-checked by our AI preview desk from live match data. Refreshed as kickoff nears.
