The U.S. men’s national team entered Monday night’s game against Belgium in Seattle with the highest expectations of any U.S. World Cup team in decades.
They had a mostly “golden generation” of players in their prime, like Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest. Folarin Balogun, arguably the best striker the US has had in recent memory, was also available for the must-win game after FIFA controversially postponed his red card suspension with some involvement from President Donald Trump.
Belgium was widely seen as a “beatable” opponent. They trailed 2-0 to Senegal in the 86th minute of the round of 16 before a ferocious, fortunate comeback led to a 3-2 win deep into extra time after a dubious penalty allowed Youri Tielemans to slot home the winner. Their defense was seen as questionable at best, and their “golden generation” was aged past their prime. Star forward Jeremy Doku was also out of the starting XI, seemingly giving the American back line an advantage.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (9) kicks the ball past USA’s Chris Richards (3) to score his team’s fourth goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between the USA and Belgium in Seattle, Washington. Monday 6 July 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
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As it turns out, not only did the USMNT have an advantage, they were hopelessly outplayed and outclassed by an organized, composed, aggressive Belgian attack. They created few good chances and faced a much better defensive structure without Kevin De Bruyne on the pitch. After tying the game on another great free kick from Tillman, they conceded again in less than 70 seconds. There was a humiliating goalkeeping error as Matt Freese kicked the ground instead of the ball, leading to the third goal that effectively put the game away. 4-1 defeat, and little to show for it.
All of that could be more forgivable, after all, Belgium is still a very good international team if the USMNT had a clean game and were simply beaten by a better team. But they didn’t just get beaten up. They embarrassed themselves on the biggest stage they’ve ever had. Literally. And football analyst Taylor Twellman went all out on the players and staff for the many, many, unforgivable mistakes.
Tim Ream (L) #13 and Sebastian Berhalter #14 of the United States lament after a 4-1 loss in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, United States. (Photo by Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) (ISI Images via Getty Images)
He discussed what happened to Yahoo Sports! “The Cooligans” podcast after the loss, saying the team failed their first “real test.”
“It was the first real test of the World Cup,” he said. “What did we get? Yeah, I mean what did we get?
“And look, we did things, didn’t we? We did things…[but] you cannot make mistakes at the highest level. You can’t miss the basics. The first two goals from Belgium. They make you want to…it’s not easy to see guys. It’s not an easy watch…It’s a 50-50 ball inside the 18 that Dest just looks around, lets it bounce. Run through it.”
He went on to say that he would rather have players ready to “run through the wall” rather than being passive or unsure of themselves.
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“And look, everybody on social media is talking about, oh, Sebastian Berhalter this… Give me 10 Sebastian Berhalters,” he said. “At least they’re running through the wall. You can’t forget fundamentals. The little things, that’s going to be, for that group of players, the hardest pill to swallow. Because when you see the tape, when you see, the tape, it’s not my experience, I saw it, it’s a hard thing to swallow. It’s all simple fundamentals and we missed them tonight.”
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Not much to argue with there. Just look at the lack of defensive effort on Belgium’s first goal, in the 10th minute. When the ball goes into the air, there are literally four American players surrounding a Belgian player. Plus three more defenders near or in front of the goal. Somehow the one Belgian player evaded them all before tucking a pass into an unmarked Charles De Ketelaere for the easiest shot of his life.
Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Washington. Monday 6 July 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
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Freese’s mistake was compounded by Ream jumping to try to deny an open shot on goal by Hans Vanaken, only to mostly whiz and watch the ball roll straight into the net. On the second goal, De Ketelaere just jumped two American defenders, while two others stood around helplessly.
These are fundamental problems that cannot happen at this level. Unforgivable, indefensible mistakes. There is a focus on managers and coaching in the international game, when managerial importance pales in comparison to having better players. Right now? The USMNT simply doesn’t have enough good ones.
