Belgium Vs. United States, 2011 International Friendly: Belgium Win 1-0

The best news for the Americans is probably that these games do not count for anything other than pride. As frustrating as the results -- and even general play -- may be, it is important to note that the U.S. does not play a meaningful match until next June.

The goal came on Belgium’s first shot of the second half, and incidentally came after the U.S. had started playing much better in the second half. The U.S. had created a couple decent chances early in the second half, but still has not looked capable of unlocking the Belgium defense.

In three games under Klinsmann, the U.S. still looks to be very much a team that is still trying to discover its new identity. While there are obvious signs of change, no players look entirely comfortable. Jose Francisco Torres has come as close as anyone to benefiting from Klinsmann’s stylistic change, but even he has looked less than comfortable in this game.

Neither Rogers nor Altidore played particularly well during the first half, with Rogers, in particular, nearly vanishing for large spells. Altidore did not exactly acquit himself particularly well, either, and did not get off a single shot.

The presence of Agudelo is little more curious. Agudelo has never looked particularly comfortable as a lone striker and has not seemed to do much to earn yet another national team appearance.

This has caused much consternation among some who had already set their DVRs to record the broadcast on ESPN. Veteran soccer scribe Grant Wahl even tweeted this out:

Belgium lineup: Mignolet; Kompany, Lombaerts, Ciman, Alderweireld; Simons, Fellaini, Witsel, Mertens; Hazard; De Camargo

USA lineup: Howard; Cherundolo, Goodson, Bocanegra, Chandler; Edu, Torres; Dempsey Rogers, Shea; Altidore

The United States may never have a Messi. They may never have anyone of the class of the other four above-listed players either. These are players that come from major European powers with world-class clubs and youth academies. The infrastructure, both in terms of clubs and culture, allows those talents to be cultivated. Until MLS or another professional league has been established in the United States for decades and soccer is a considerably more popular sport, competing with the likes of England or Germany is unlikely.

However, the United States’ opponent on Tuesday is also killing them in player development. They’re not a country that has one of the best leagues in the world, they don’t have a massive population, and footballers are not worshiped like gods to the degree of Italy, England, Germany and the like. Belgium is, in theory, a country that the United States should parallel in talent. And they don’t. In fact, it’s not even close.

At some point around the half hour mark, things began to go downhill a bit and the team looked a little less sharp. After halftime, Costa Rica - a half strength Ticos side - was the demonstrably better team. They deserved their goal, and based on their superiority in the second half, they probably deserved their win.

Of course, the objective in international friendlies is never to win the match above all else. Implementing new ideas and coming closer to playing as a team is much more important. So is seeing what you do or do not have in certain players. While Klinsmann probably got some useful information out of that game, I’m not sure we learned anything.

The United States and Belgium face off at 2:30 pm ET, 8:30 pm local time. The game can be seen on ESPN3.com in the USA.

Greg Seltzer with MLSsoccer.com and the No Short Corners blog passed along this Voetbal International interview with Altidore’s club manager Gertjan Verbeek about the young striker’s call up:

As Seltzer so correctly titled his post, “Uh Oh.” Of course, it didn’t make a ton of sense to schedule two friendlies four days apart half a world away.