U.S. Men Fall to Belgium 4-2

On a night where DaMarcus Beasley earned his 100th cap for his country, the U.S. Men’s National Team fell 4-2 to 15th-ranked Belgium in an international friendly at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The U.S. got on the scoreboard with Geoff Cameron’s first international goal and Clint Dempsey’s late penalty kick, but dropped its lifetime record against the Belgians to 1-4-0 dating back to 1930.

The USA next faces Germany on Sunday, June 2, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., for its Centennial Celebration Match as U.S. Soccer commemorates its 100-year anniversary. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, WatchESPN and UniMas.

Beasley became the 13th player to reach the 100-cap milestone for the U.S. Men’s National Team and was honored on the field before the game. The Ft. Wayne, Ind., native broke through into the National Team fold before the 2002 FIFA World Cup and has gone on to earn the majority of his caps as a wide midfielder during a well-traveled career.

Since coming back into the National Team, Beasley started his third-consecutive game as an outside left back for Jurgen Klinsmann, a testament to the resurgent veteran’s tenacity and versatility.

Belgium was the stronger team from the outset, taking the lead in the sixth minute. Kevin De Bruyne played a through ball for the streaking Romelu Lukaku. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard did well to come off his line and poke the ball clear, but Belgium winger Kevin Mirallas reacted quickest to the loose ball. The forward executed the most exquisite of chips from 15 yards to strand Howard and give his side the lead.

Belgium showed their class throughout the night with some impressive passing sequences, but the U.S. seized on its one major chance, tying the game from a well worked set piece. Graham Zusi hit a corner to the far post where Clint Dempsey rose highest to head it back across the goal. The U.S. captain’s effort completely befuddled the Belgian defense, and Cameron, stationed at the far post, headed home a simple finish from four yards to level the score.

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