ATLANTA — Belgium blew out the United States 5-2 on Saturday in a World Cup warmup that exposed the Americans’ defensive difficulties, rallying from a late first-half deficit on two goals by Dodi Lukébakio and one each from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere.
Weston McKennie put the U.S. ahead in the 39th minute with his 12th international goal, his first in three years, but Debast and Onana began Belgium’s rally with their first international goals on a frustrating afternoon for Matt Turner, the former No. 1 American goalkeeper who made his first appearance since last June.
Debast scored in the 45th, Onana put the Red Devils ahead in the 53rd and De Ketelaere converted a penalty kick in the 59th after a hand ball by U.S. captain Tim Ream.
Lukébakio entered in the 62nd minute and beat Turner from long range in the 68th and 82nd minutes to build a 5-1 lead before a disappointed largely pro-American crowd of 66,867 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of a World Cup semifinal in July.
Patrick Agyemang scored for the U.S. in the 87th after Ricardo Pepi took advantage of defensive misplay.
The U.S. lost a home game by three goals in which it scored the opening goal for the first time since an 8-1 defeat to England in 1959, according to Opta.
Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games and has won six straight against the U.S. since losing to the Americans at the initial World Cup in 1930.
The U.S. had entered with a five-game unbeaten streak that created optimism but was missing several injured regulars.
McKennie put the Americans ahead when he took advantage of Johnny Cardoso’s pick to cut in front of Nicolas Raskin and volley Antonee Robinson’s corner kick past Senne Lammens.
American players debuted jerseys with red and white stripes that resemble a waving flag.
With the roof closed in an air-conditioned stadium, fans booed the water breaks in the middle of each half — which will take place at each World Cup match.
Belgium was missing striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielders Leandro Trossard and Hans Vanaken and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because of injuries and fitness issues. The Red Devils play Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday.
Shohei Ohtani souvenir cups for $68.99? They could be worth the price
The limited edition Shohei Ohtani souvenir cup available at Dodger Stadium concession stands this season is pretty cool.
And at a mere $68.99, it’s a real bargain too … at least for people planning on attending enough Dodgers games to make the season-long free refills worth the cost. With fountain drinks running about $11.99 each this season, those babies pay for themselves in around six refills.
It’s definitely a better deal than on Opening Day, when the same Ohtani cups were being sold for $74.99. Photos posted on social media show concession stand signs stating that free refills were available only on the day of purchase. (Here’s hoping that no one attempted to make that investment pay for itself in refills all in one day.)
Two days later, the item was discounted by six dollars. The Dodgers confirmed the price drop to The Times but declined further comment.
On Saturday, an Instagram post from Dodger Stadium Hospitality revealed that the cups actually can be refilled for free at every 2026 home game.
“Limited Edition Collector’s Cup available now! Purchase your cup and receive fountain soda refills all season long,” read the post, which also featured photos that showed off a cup made to look just like Ohtani’s jersey, complete with his name and No. 17 with textured and raised plastic for an even more realistic appearance.
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As pricey as the Ohtani cups may be, there appears to be a lucrative resale market for them. As of Tuesday morning, five of those items are listed as sold on eBay at prices that range from $199.99 to $290. At least nine others are listed for sale with asking prices that range from $185 to $339.
Seems like a crazy amount to spend on a cup, especially since one could still be purchased at Dodger Stadium going into Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Guardian. Maybe the buyers are huge Ohtani fans who live in, say, Japan and can’t quite make it out to Chavez Ravine to add to their collection of memorabilia.
Or maybe they’re local fans who have a thirst that only 20-plus refills can quench.
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USMNT has defense exposed in rout by Belgium
ATLANTA — Belgium blew out the United States 5-2 on Saturday in a World Cup warmup that exposed the Americans’ defensive difficulties, rallying from a late first-half deficit on two goals by Dodi Lukébakio and one each from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere.
Weston McKennie put the U.S. ahead in the 39th minute with his 12th international goal, his first in three years, but Debast and Onana began Belgium’s rally with their first international goals on a frustrating afternoon for Matt Turner, the former No. 1 American goalkeeper who made his first appearance since last June.
Debast scored in the 45th, Onana put the Red Devils ahead in the 53rd and De Ketelaere converted a penalty kick in the 59th after a hand ball by U.S. captain Tim Ream.
Lukébakio entered in the 62nd minute and beat Turner from long range in the 68th and 82nd minutes to build a 5-1 lead before a disappointed largely pro-American crowd of 66,867 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of a World Cup semifinal in July.
Patrick Agyemang scored for the U.S. in the 87th after Ricardo Pepi took advantage of defensive misplay.
The U.S. lost a home game by three goals in which it scored the opening goal for the first time since an 8-1 defeat to England in 1959, according to Opta.
Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games and has won six straight against the U.S. since losing to the Americans at the initial World Cup in 1930.
The U.S. had entered with a five-game unbeaten streak that created optimism but was missing several injured regulars.
McKennie put the Americans ahead when he took advantage of Johnny Cardoso’s pick to cut in front of Nicolas Raskin and volley Antonee Robinson’s corner kick past Senne Lammens.
American players debuted jerseys with red and white stripes that resemble a waving flag.
With the roof closed in an air-conditioned stadium, fans booed the water breaks in the middle of each half — which will take place at each World Cup match.
Belgium was missing striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielders Leandro Trossard and Hans Vanaken and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because of injuries and fitness issues. The Red Devils play Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday.
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