Being preoccupied this past Wednesday down in Youngstown for Division I high school regional track and field, it was a little tough to return home and hear about the United States men's soccer team's 4-2 setback to Belgium at FirstEnergy Stadium.

It was a friendly, and Belgium is a very good European side so there's no shame in the result, but at the same time it would have been nice for the USMNT to look a little better on the scoreboard in a match that occurred in our own backyard.

It also would have been nice to continue an impressive little streak in the Buckeye State for international matches within its borders. Since the turn of the millennium, Wednesday's loss marked the first time the U.S. had lost a match played in Ohio:

CLEVELAND (1-1)
May 29, 2013: lost to Belgium, 4-2
May 26, 2006:def. Venezuela, 2-0

COLUMBUS (6-0-3)
Sept. 11, 2012: def. Jamaica, 1-0*
Feb. 11, 2009: def. Mexico, 2-0*
Sept. 3, 2005: def. Mexico, 2-0*
Nov. 17, 2004: tied Jamaica, 1-1*
June 13, 2004: def. Grenada, 3-0*
July 6, 2003: def. Paraguay, 2-0
June 7, 2001: tied Ecuador, 1-1
Feb. 28, 2001: def. Mexico, 2-0*
Oct. 11, 2000: tied Costa Rica, 0-0

Columbus is well-known for being a preferred destination for home matches against Mexico - that success rate above would make anyone a little superstitious. So it's no surprise that Sept. 10, the U.S. will return to Ohio's capital for a World Cup qualifier against El Tri.

Here's to hoping the USMNT can get a result and add to an already impressive run while in Ohio.

- Chris Lillstrung | @CLillstrungNH