SEATTLE — Two very different feelings swept over the U.S. World Cup team, the Lumen Field crowd and the millions watching across an enthralled nation Monday evening.
There was the immense disappointment of the 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium, a match that got off on the wrong foot and never seemed quite right. The U.S. was outclassed by European royalty, reduced to a wobbly team that, after playing with energy and cohesion for weeks, was out of its depth.
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“It was unlike any other performances we’ve had this summer, to be honest,” left back Antonee Robinson said. “It’s hard to say where it went wrong.”
There were also happy memories of what the U.S. achieved over the past month, winning with style and excitement, and inspiring a country hungry for high-end success from its men’s national team.
They will depart the World Cup, though, with the lingering duality that a good tournament ended with a mighty thud.
“I know it hasn’t ended the way we wanted it to, but I think [everyone has] seen it definitely united the nation, and we’ve introduced a lot of people to the beautiful game,” striker Folarin Balogun said. “So that’s a huge positive to not be overlooked.”
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It should not be overlooked. The U.S. won Group D with one match to spare and showed Americans can play with rhythm and style.
For all their gains, the Americans found themselves back where they often are, leaving the competition at the same juncture. The exit ramp was the same in 1994, 2010, 2014, 2022 and now at home.
USMNT players react after the Unites States’ 4-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16.
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
They’ll be able to say they won a knockout match for the first time in 24 years, when they reached the quarterfinals by beating regional rival Mexico in South Korea. But this year’s triumph came in a round that never existed before.
The U.S. won three World Cup matches for the first time, but while beating Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina was uplifting, none were elite opponents. Belgium is barely elite these days, yet the Red Devils pushed all the right buttons in dismantling the U.S. and taking the big, loud crowd out of the equation.
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“A disappointing day,” said goalkeeper Matt Freese, whose second-half howler put the outcome to rest.
“We were not the same team that during the tournament showed quality — a very bad day,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said.
“When you concede goals that easily against a team of that quality and that caliber, it’s going to be difficult,” midfielder Tyler Adams said. “We gave them good chances, or even half-chances, and they finished them.”
Asked about major presences Monday, Adams said, “Anyone a major presence on the field today?”
Not in a U.S. uniform. Aside from Malik Tillman‘s deflected free kick that fooled world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the attack lacked the flow, elegance and ruthlessness of most previous matches.
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Players searched for answers.
“We looked like we lacked energy,” Robinson said. “We weren’t as fluid as we have been. Just disappointed to lose a game not in the manner of how we’ve represented ourselves the rest of the tournament.”
There was another answer: For all its high marks this summer, the U.S. remains in the second tier of international soccer, still behind the Belgiums and Englands, Argentinas and Frances of the world.
The Americans have failed to take the next step time and time again, and usually it’s a European team that swats them away.
Malik Tillman of the United States reacts after Belgium’s fourth goal by Romelu Lukaku #9 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Alex Grimm via Getty Images)
The U.S. defense was considered the weak link entering the tournament, but after strong performances in prior matches, there was growing confidence the team could slow a Belgian side that rang up five goals in a March friendly between the teams in Atlanta.
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From the start, however, the Americans were in big trouble. Players reacted slowly and were caught ball-watching. Energy was lacking. Assignments were missed. Pochettino’s halftime adjustments took hold but the equalizer never came.
Then Freese panicked with the ball at his feet outside the penalty area. A match within reach was now out of it.
He called it an “error in judgement” in failing to clear the ball.
Everyone watching called it a gift.
“The goalkeeper made a mistake, because we pushed him to,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said.
Freese wasn’t the only one. The face of the team, Christian Pulisic, had a strong opening match against Paraguay but then got hurt and never left an impression.
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“I felt really good this summer playing with the guys, and I thought my level was high,” said Pulisic, who did not score in the tournament. “It’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team.”
The U.S. is a good team, but it’s not a really good team.
Getting to the quarterfinals in a home World Cup would have done wonders for the program. Losing in the Round of 16? Meh.
“It’s not like you are in a rocket and you improve and you grow like this,” Pochettino said while gesturing up. “We improve a lot, but the problem, you improve, but sometimes you need to go little by little. It’s not linear that you are going to grow so quickly. I am so proud because in one year, with all the circumstances, I’ve seen this team show we can play football, we can play soccer. We can compete.”
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As for his future, Pochettino’s contract expires this month. Both he and the U.S. Soccer Federation have suggested they might renew their partnership.
“Now is the moment to assess the tournament and, for sure, in the next weeks, we can start to talk, if the federation wants to talk,” Pochettino said.
Pochettino deserves credit for making the U.S. fun to watch — a departure from past teams that had to grind out results and often faced long odds in the knockout stage. This team might not have been favored Monday, but it liked its chances.
Along the journey, the U.S. brought joy to a nation divided in so many ways. Tens of millions watched the matches and watch parties popped up all over the place. Soccer had broken into the mainstream, thanks in large part to Pochettino’s likable band.
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“To feel the energy and the support from this country and from the fans over the last five weeks has been really indescribable,” Robinson said. “It was such an honor to play for them.”
It just ended sooner than everyone hoped.
