When the United States last took the field in a men’s World Cup in 2014, they were simply overmatched by Belgium. Despite the heroics of Tim Howard, the U.S. couldn’t overcome a rising tide of world-class Belgian players. Led by an ascending golden generation that matured over the next four years, they were also a serious contender in Russia — and could possibly anchor another title challenge in Qatar.



Four of those players — Nacer Chadli, Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku, and Axel Witsel — all shared a U-18 coach: Arnold Rijsenburg. The 51-year-old Dutchman has a notable CV, working for Belgian giants Anderlecht and Standard Liège as an upper-age-group youth coach. Beyond that quartet, he helped with the development of Christian Benteke and Morocco international Mehdi Carcela.



Five years after the Red Devils eliminated the United States, Rijsenburg will now try to help develop the next generation of American...