THE TAKE
Biggest game in USMNT history on the horizon. No pressure! Belgium lineup choices show respect to the US quality/mobility all over the field. It also makes them dangerous in the 2nd half if the game is still in the balance (De Bruyne/Doku/Lukaku still match winners). 2-1 USA 🇺🇸🦅
BOLDNESS
58/100
GRADE
5/100
PLAYERS / TEAMS
USABelgiumUSMNT
GRADING CRITERIA
TRUE IF
USA beats Belgium with a final score of 2-1;
FALSE IF
the match ends in any other result (different score, draw, or Belgium win).
bold callcontrarianspecific score prediction
OUTCOME
CONFIRMED FALSEBelgium defeated the USA 4-1 on July 6, 2026 in the Round of 16, completely reversing the predicted outcome. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken added a third after a goalkeeper error, and Romelu Lukaku sealed it in stoppage time — the USA's only goal was a Malik Tillman free kick. McCarty correctly anticipated Belgium's depth (De Bruyne/Doku/Lukaku as second-half threats, with Lukaku indeed scoring) but was wrong on every other dimension: winner, scoreline, and dominant team.