Fulham's Antonee Robinson assisted the first goal for the USA but was unable to prevent them losing 5-2 to Belgium at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Elsewhere, there were difficult nights too for Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic.
Antonee Robinson assisted for the USA but Belgium swept aside Mauricio Pochettino’s men at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Robinson, back in the USA squad after recovering from his long injury lay-off, started at left back as preparation for the World Cup ramped up for Pochettino.
He played a perfect pass after 39 minutes, which Weston McKennie headed in to put the USA ahead.
But Belgium bounced back and scored five goals through Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere and a brace from Dodi Lukebakio.
Robinson was replaced after 64 minutes, with Pochettino keen not to cause any unnecessary injury to a player who will almost certainly start for him at the World Cup.
Fulham transfer target Ricardo Pepi replaced star attacker Christian Pulisic and assisted Patrick Agyemang for a consolation second goal.
Having been replaced shortly after the hour mark, Robinson missed the chance to clash with teammate Timothy Castagne.
The Fulham right back replaced Thomas Meunier after 70 minutes as Roberto Martinez made five changes.
The USA are next in action against Portugal on Tuesday night, while Belgium will play one of the other hosts of this summer’s World Cup in Mexico on the same night.
The USA are in a group with Paraguay and Australia, as well as a team yet to be decided.
Belgium are in Group G, alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.
Berge unable to halt the Netherlands as Norway beaten
Elsewhere, Fulham midfielder Sander Berge captained Norway in a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
Berge led a side that also contained Fulham winger Oscar Bobb but crucially was without star man Erling Haaland, who missed the game through injury.
Norway took the lead after 24 minutes when Andreas Schjelderup scored from a David Moller Wolfe assist.
But it was not long before the Dutch were level, courtesy of Virgil van Dijk scoring, something Fulham fans will hope he does not do in the Premier League clash with Liverpool next month.
And in the second half, Tijani Reijnders took the lead for the Dutch, tucking home after a Denzel Dumfries assist.
Berge’s midfield teammate Sasa Lukic also endured a tough night, as Serbia were defeated 3-0 by Spain.
Lukic came on in the 60th minute when the European champions led 2-0 and they soon made it 3-0 at the Estadio de la Ceramica after he entered the fray.