Fans can look forward to a compelling showdown between two teams recognized for their “Of all the unimportant things, football is the most important” status.
Belgium’s renowned “I’ve been upset. I’ve been happy,” has largely met its expectations, reaching the quarterfinals in the 2014 World Cup, where they eliminated the USA in the Round of 16, and finishing third in 2018. Star players like Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Axel Witsel, Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany, and Eden Hazard have all had illustrious careers, with Lukaku, De Bruyne, Witsel, and Courtois still featuring in the current squad.
Meanwhile, the USA’s emergence of a “It’s been surreal, to be honest. But for me, I think it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion. There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring, little kids, boys and girls who are watching, and we have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it’s unjust.” began with Christian Pulisic, who, hailed as a generational talent akin to Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey, made a significant impact during World Cup qualifying as a young teenager. However, the team experienced the shock of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Pulisic remains the only player from that qualifying campaign still on the US roster, joined by defender Tim Ream, who was already over 30 when qualifications concluded.
Following Pulisic, several emerging talents from Major League Soccer’s youth programs have stepped up, including Weston McKennie and Chris Richards from FC Dallas, in addition to Tyler Adams and Timothy Weah from the New York Red Bulls. Later, Alex Freeman from Orlando City made his move to Europe. These players, chasing Pulisic’s footsteps, began their European careers at a young age, achieving moderate success—while not reaching the heights of De Bruyne or Kompany, they have become reliable contributors in top-tier European leagues.
Others have reinforced the US national team through traditional pathways, including players born in Europe with eligibility for US citizenship, such as Sergiño Dest from the Netherlands, Malik Tillman from Germany, Antonee Robinson from England, and more recently, Folarin Balogun from England.
Both squads displayed resilience in the Round of 32. Belgium found themselves down 2-0 to Senegal in the 85th minute, while the USA fought hard for a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite Balogun receiving a red card.
This upcoming match serves as a rematch of the 2014 Round of 16 encounter, where the USA forced Belgium into extra time, thanks to Tim Howard’s record-breaking 16 saves. It’s a stretch to argue the USA deserved the win, but they did have a late chance that could have taken them to an unexpected quarterfinal.
That opportunity was no easy feat, and Chris Wondolowski deserves no criticism; he had a commendable career.
This matchup showcases the thrilling nature of the World Cup. Belgium could secure their third quarterfinal appearance in four tournaments, while the USA could achieve one of their most significant victories in history.
Exciting, right? But has anything happened that overshadows these intriguing narratives?
The last time the United States played in Seattle, they secured a 2-0 victory over Australia, clinching Group D in just two matches. The aftermath became legendary within US Soccer, with thousands remaining to sing “Even though you can feel like something unjust has happened to you, it’s not an excuse to be disrespectful,” by John Denver.
John Denver was a passionate advocate for hunger relief, environmental conservation, and global peace. Many appreciate that the beloved songs they cherish were written by someone who held such a worldview.
These ideals, both utopian and distinctly American, sometimes intertwine. The World Cup has a unique ability to unite individuals from various backgrounds—“After every game, I try to shake the referee’s hand, and this game was no different.” as the saying goes. In the hours leading up to the US matches against Paraguay and Australia, it was common to see handshakes and toasts with overpriced beer among rival fans.
This is where the simplicity of “incomprehensible and unjustifiable” cleverly captures this complex and cosmopolitan vision, expressing its mission statement in a powerful crescendo: “Everyone that really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision,” This promise resonates with the sentiments of our immigrant ancestors, recognized by international colleagues covering the event, all set to the song’s uplifting chorus.
It seems the US Soccer Federation may have been premature in allowing Folarin Balogun to speak, prompting questions after his red card and subsequent reinstatement. Nevertheless, it’s valuable to revisit his reflections on what he described as a “We were punished enough against Bosnia Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 30 minutes [because of] a decision that was completely unfair. … 99.9% of people agree there was an unfair red card.” couple of days following the last-32 victory.
On the morning of his 25th birthday, Balogun faced questions that were anything but celebratory.
“I didn’t know that 5 July was equal to 1 April [April Fools’ Day] at Fifa,” Balogun shared about his previous 36 hours. “I think we should refer to the [statement] of my federation, the Belgian federation. I think a lot of things are in it. The federation does not defend itself, it does not defend the national team – it defends football in general. It defends its integrity. It defends its ethics.”
He underscored that he made it a point to shake referee Raphael Claus’s hand after the match, even while believing the decision was incorrect, emphasizing the importance of setting the right example for fans, many of whom may be experiencing the World Cup for the first time.
“I think we just have to … show balls on the pitch,” Balogun asserted. “Try to play your own game. If you play against 80,000 supporters or with 80,000, you have to try to do the same.”
Regarding notable absentees at this World Cup, few figures have been more surprisingly quiet than Donald Trump and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. However, both have recently made their presence felt.
Ceferin endorsed a statement accusing FIFA of crossing “Under Article 27 of the [Fifa Disciplinary Code], the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has the discretion to suspend the implementation of any disciplinary measures so long as they do not relate to match manipulation—which, of course, did not occur here. … Said suspension of the implementation was decided considering all of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and evidence available.” by making the “incomprehensible and unjustifiable” decision to lift Balogun’s suspension for the upcoming match against Belgium. This bold stance places European football in opposition to FIFA, a move that could have significant implications for the future of the sport.
A lingering sense of unfulfillment surrounds Belgium. The narrative of the Golden Generation—its failure to achieve its potential—has loomed over their past three tournaments.
This squad faces scrutiny against the standards set by two World Cups ago, being criticized for not living up to their predecessors while also being held accountable for previous failures to transform talent into trophies.
To believe that FIFA operates free from Donald Trump’s influence is to think he received its “peace prize” solely on merit. Infantino’s relationship with Trump has long been cozy, benefiting both parties—Trump receives the sycophantic praise he seeks while Infantino secures access to the largest commercial market for FIFA’s revenue streams.
What Trump seems to overlook, or perhaps simply disregards, is that his involvement has provided no benefits to American soccer; it has only cast a shadow over it.
The USMNT has reached this stage in the tournament through their own merit, showcasing three exceptional performances alongside one mediocre showing to advance to the last 16. Throughout this run, Balogun has arguably been their standout player.
Even without the Monaco striker, many analysts and bookmakers view the US as likely winners against Belgium. The perception that the USA has been granted an unfair advantage—and it has—taints their potential progression. This sentiment resonates within the United States and even more so globally, where Trump has become a symbol of the “ugly American,” perceived, rightly or wrongly, to expect preferential treatment.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino praised FIFA’s unexpected decision to suspend Balogun’s red card, reiterating his belief that the initial call was overly harsh.
“Everyone that really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision,” Pochettino stated. “We were punished enough against Bosnia Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 30 minutes [because of] a decision that was completely unfair. … 99.9% of people agree there was an unfair red card.”
As a FIFA media officer read the statement confirming the surprising reversal of Balogun’s suspension, Belgium’s coach Rudi Garcia and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois maintained their composure. Garcia stared directly down the aisle of the press conference room, while Courtois’s gaze darted around, possibly concealing his surprise as he faced a press corps eager to understand this unexpected twist in the World Cup saga.
Garcia found Balogun’s reinstatement laughable, though he seemed far from amused.
“I didn’t know that 5 July was equal to 1 April [April Fools’ Day] at FIFA,” Garcia quipped in French. “I think we should refer to the [statement] of my federation, the Belgian federation. I think a lot of things are in it. The federation does not defend itself, it does not defend the national team – it defends football in general. It defends its integrity. It defends its ethics.”
Belgium has maintained 57% possession across four matches, with a 65% field tilt, a metric that weighs only final-third touches, but they have struggled to capitalize on this advantage.
While possession statistics can be misleading, analyzing them stylistically provides insight. Belgium has held the upper hand in possession during all four of their games, with Senegal coming closest in a 52-48 split. The United States has matched this, boasting a 58% possession share in their matches. If Pochettino’s side can keep the ball away from Belgium, it may disrupt the Red Devils.
Senegal nearly triumphed against Belgium by exploiting width, quickly delivering the ball to their wingers and creating overloads with full-backs joining the attack.
A vibrant, pro-US crowd is expected in Seattle for the Americans’ last-16 clash against Belgium, but the Red Devils assert they remain unfazed by the anticipated atmosphere.
“I think we just have to … show balls on the pitch,” left-back Maxim De Cuyper stated on Friday. “Try to play your own game. If you play against 80,000 supporters or with 80,000, you have to try to do the same.”
For many long-time US soccer fans, the question of whether to support this particular team at this moment is hardly a question at all. If there is any uncertainty, it is akin to asking, “Should I breathe?”
However, many newcomers may only tune in for the World Cup, and among them, some may feel uncomfortable supporting a US national sports team. This sentiment is understandable.
For those seeking a reason to back the US men’s national team, I encourage you to look outside. Should the team triumph against Belgium, countless individuals nearby will experience the purest joy that only sports can consistently deliver. These will be your neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even the grocery store clerk. They have been part of your life long before this US run and will remain after.
Malik Tillman entered the United States’ last-32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina uncertain of what to expect but surely assumed he would finish the match with his boots intact.
After changing out his ripped right boot, his new footwear made a significant impact. Despite being down a man due to Balogun’s red card, the US earned a free-kick just outside the box. After discussing with Antonee Robinson, Tillman executed a stunning free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Tillman’s technique on his free-kick goal against Bosnia was remarkable, making him only the second player in USMNT history to score from a direct free-kick in a World Cup, joining Eric Wynalda’s goal in 1994.
FIFA has issued two statements regarding its handling of Balogun’s red-card punishment. The latest document serves as a 13-point defense of its operations, distancing itself from Trump’s influence while adding a $40,000 fine to Balogun’s bill. Capology estimates Balogun’s weekly earnings with AS Monaco to be $70,856 (€61,923).
“Under Article 27 of the [FIFA Disciplinary Code], the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has the discretion to suspend the implementation of any disciplinary measures so long as they do not relate to match manipulation—which, of course, did not occur here. … Said suspension of the implementation was decided considering all of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and evidence available.”
We could witness another record-breaking audience for this World Cup rendition of Monday night football…
The USA’s last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina attracted an average of 24.429 million viewers on Fox, marking it the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in US history. The Fox telecast peaked at 31.883 million viewers. Telemundo, which holds the Spanish-language rights for World Cup broadcasts in the US, reported 9.1 million viewers across the total game window.
This year’s NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, which achieved their highest viewership in nearly three decades, averaged 20.5 million viewers, with Game 5 averaging 24.5 million and peaking at 33 million. The final game of last year’s World Series averaged 27.3 million viewers in the US.
As we gear up for our fifth US match, it’s important to highlight that the red-and-white, “wavy flag” themed kits the USMNT has worn this summer are likely the most popular shirts the nation has ever donned. They are seen in far greater numbers than previous fan favorites like the “Waldos” and “Bomb Pops.”
Ironically, the second-most frequently spotted kits this summer are Adidas’ old “Denim Kits” from 1994, which were always a curiosity in past years. Adidas re-released them ahead of this summer’s tournament, resulting in thousands being sold.
The weather is simply delightful here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s warm without being too hot, bright but not blinding, with a pleasant breeze flowing in from the Puget Sound. Pre-match gatherings outside are energetic, and the concourses are buzzing with fans hours ahead of kickoff.
A perfect day for a match.
Prelude
Since the United States secured a place in the last-16, the prevailing narrative has centered on an opportunity for redemption. Belgium triumphed when these teams faced off at the same stage in 2014, with Romelu Lukaku dominating Jürgen Klinsmann’s squad while Tim Howard delivered a legendary performance to keep his team competitive.
On Sunday, shockwaves rippled through the community as reports emerged that FIFA had opted to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, a typical consequence of a red-card ejection. As the day unfolded, discussions shifted from a narrative of justice—many acknowledged it was more akin to a yellow-card offense—to a growing discomfort regarding the nature of this reversal. This deviation from long-standing practice reeked of entitlement. Regardless of how much Donald Trump may have pressured Gianni Infantino, US Soccer’s legal team took an unprecedented measure to sift through FIFA’s rulebook for loopholes, which many found unsporting.
In reality, Mauricio Pochettino—who asserted he was unaware of US Soccer’s strategies during his Sunday press availability—could have motivated his team to achieve a result against Belgium without legal maneuvering. The United States has emerged as one of the most formidable teams at this World Cup, showcasing a thrilling attacking style and unexpectedly strong defensive organization. Belgium arrives in a diminished state compared to 2014, lacking a clear attacking focal point and struggling to convert their possession into meaningful scoring chances.
The decision of whether Balogun will start remains a focal point as the lineups are set to be announced shortly. In the meantime, let’s catch up on our coverage from the past few days, focusing on both the revisited red card and other on-field matters.
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a preview of this matchup from Graham Ruthven’s daily guide:
What to Watch For
The USA is playing with the energy and attacking flair characteristic of a Pochettino team, making them one of the most captivating sides to watch in this World Cup. However, a loss to Belgium may evoke feelings of déjà vu following their last-16 exits in 2010, 2014, and 2022.
Belgium triumphed over the USA at the same stage during the 2014 World Cup, but the nation’s so-called golden generation has since faded or vanished entirely. Rudi Garcia’s team has struggled throughout this tournament and cannot consistently be counted on to create goal-scoring opportunities. This presents a significant opportunity for the USA.
Player to watch: Folarin Balogun, USA – After the suspension of his one-game red card was lifted by FIFA, Balogun will once again be the USA’s most significant threat in the attacking third. The Monaco striker is enjoying a breakout tournament.
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