{"id":1170,"date":"2026-07-07T14:36:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=1170"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:36:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:36:48","slug":"the-u-s-had-a-golden-opportunity-for-a-soccer-breakthrough-now-it-must-wait-four-more-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=1170","title":{"rendered":"The U.S. had a golden opportunity for a soccer breakthrough. Now it must wait four more years."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p id=\"anchor-3c295f\" class=\"body-graf\">SEATTLE \u2014 The U.S. men\u2019s soccer team entered the World Cup\u2019s round of 16 looking as though it had an edge on the rest of the soccer world.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"styles_subscriptionCTA__LOUeY\" id=\"subscriptionCTA\" type=\"button\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,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\" alt=\"NBC News Icon\" class=\"styles_icon__wRwWv\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"styles_textWrapper__vxvko\">\n<p class=\"styles_text__daaVB styles_textLarge__qlzwu\">Subscribe to read this story ad-free<\/p>\n<p class=\"styles_text__daaVB\">Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/rockcms\/2026-01\/arrow-f55fa5.svg\" alt=\"arrow\" class=\"styles_arrow__tnruW\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/button><\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-4144d4\" class=\"body-graf\">It ended Monday with another reminder it still is playing catch-up against the world\u2019s elite teams.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-40ffd9\" class=\"body-graf\">For more than 24 hours before the U.S. kicked off against Belgium inside a sold-out Seattle Stadium, other nations had decried the appearance of an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/sports\/soccer\/folarin-balogun-usmnt-soccer-fifa-world-cup-belgium-red-card-rcna353041\" target=\"_blank\">off-field advantage handed to the U.S. by FIFA\u2019s independent disciplinary committee<\/a>, when on Sunday it suspended U.S. goal-scorer\u2019s Folarin Balogun\u2019s one-game ban, making him eligible to play. The decision drew the team into a geopolitical storm after both FIFA president Gianni Infantino and President Trump acknowledged that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/donald-trump\/trump-fifa-review-folarin-baloguns-red-card-rcna353145\" target=\"_blank\">Trump had called soccer\u2019s global leader<\/a> to inquire about the red card Balogun had been given July 1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-13ff23\" class=\"body-graf\">Yet once Monday\u2019s game at last kicked off, all U.S. influence waned during a 4-1 loss. Balogun went from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/sports\/soccer\/us-folarin-balogun-belgium-fifa-world-cup-rcna353250\" target=\"_blank\">main character to non-factor as a <\/a>World Cup run that was at times galvanizing and inspiring ended in a familiar place \u2014 short of true contention.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-7f64d5\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cToday, we were not the same team in the tournament that showed our quality,\u201d coach Mauricio Pochettino said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"styles_inlineImage__FvnTh styles_medium__MEKii\" id=\"anchor-afe528\"><picture class=\"styles_image__i32F7\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"fit\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-belgium-pochettino-vsb-2336-b44ff9.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-belgium-pochettino-vsb-2336-b44ff9.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-belgium-pochettino-vsb-2336-b44ff9.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-belgium-pochettino-vsb-2336-b44ff9.jpg 1x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-belgium-pochettino-vsb-2336-b44ff9.jpg\" alt=\"Mauricio Pochettino Manager and Head Coach of USA consoles a dejected Chris Richards of USA after being knocked out during the  USA v Belgium match.\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption styles_caption__TCewG\" data-testid=\"caption\"><span class=\"caption__container\" data-testid=\"caption__container\">Mauricio Pochettino Manager and Head Coach of USA consoles a dejected Chris Richards of USA after being knocked out during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, Wash. <\/span><span class=\"caption__source\" data-testid=\"caption__source\">Robbie Jay Barratt \/ AMA via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"anchor-53375e\" class=\"body-graf\">In Seattle, Belgium was technically sharper from the start, its passes crisper, its defense a wall where the U.S.\u2019s was constantly undermined by its own mistakes. Belgium made the U.S. look more disheveled than it had at any point in the tournament, with multiple errors and questionable decisions leading to Belgian goals.<\/p>\n<section id=\"anchor-48a7bb\" class=\"embed-widget embedWidget embed-widget--scroll-table embed-widget--medium\" data-testid=\"embed-widget\"\/>\n<p id=\"anchor-e7ec73\" class=\"body-graf\">Why had the U.S. come out flat?<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-62225d\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cIt\u2019s a great question,\u201d defender Tyler Adams said. \u201cWish I had the answer right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-02498b\" class=\"body-graf\">That quality the U.S. had showed in its first four matches prior to Monday seemed to be a step forward for the U.S. men\u2019s national team, which has never advanced past the quarterfinals in modern history. The stylish play introduced by Pochettino, its Argentinian coach, led to more goals through the group stage alone than the U.S. had ever scored in a single World Cup, and anticipation grew that this could be the year the U.S. men became a factor.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-616891\" class=\"body-graf\">Five days earlier, a record 36 million people tuned in to watch the team\u2019s round-of-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina that was capped by scenes of Pochettino smiling as he sang \u201cCountry Roads,\u201d the team\u2019s adopted anthem, on the field after the U.S. had won its first knockout game at a World Cup since 2002. <\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-5f39fa\" class=\"body-graf\">On Monday, the mood had turned. After the U.S. scored on a stirring free kick by Malik Tillman in the 31st minute, only to concede a goal within a minute to fall behind 2-1, Pochettino kicked a water-bottle carrier on the sideline in frustration and banged the top of the dugout with his fist. At the final whistle stars Christian Pulisic, who had twisted an ankle, and Balogun stayed in the dugout, pulling their jerseys over their mouths to rue a missed opportunity.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"styles_inlineImage__FvnTh styles_medium__MEKii\" id=\"anchor-5659aa\"><picture class=\"styles_image__i32F7\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"fit\" data-original-height=\"1666\" data-original-width=\"2500\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-vs-belgium-vsb-2346-e986a4.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-vs-belgium-vsb-2346-e986a4.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-vs-belgium-vsb-2346-e986a4.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-vs-belgium-vsb-2346-e986a4.jpg 1x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-vs-belgium-vsb-2346-e986a4.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Freese, #24 of the United States frustrated about a goal during the USA v Belgium match.\" height=\"1666\" width=\"2500\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption styles_caption__TCewG\" data-testid=\"caption\"><span class=\"caption__container\" data-testid=\"caption__container\">Matt Freese, #24 of the United States frustrated about a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.<\/span><span class=\"caption__source\" data-testid=\"caption__source\">Doug Zimmerman \/ ISI Photos via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"anchor-0a7dbf\" class=\"body-graf\">From Pochettino to his players, the U.S. was adamant that the storm around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/sports\/soccer\/trump-administration-leapt-action-reverse-folarin-baloguns-red-card-rcna353081\" target=\"_blank\">Balogun\u2019s saga<\/a> \u2014 with Belgium lodging a complaint that FIFA later dismissed, and multiple nations complaining of overreach \u2014 had not affected its focus or performance. Neither had it been a distraction for Belgium, forward Dodi Luk\u00e9bakio said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-0b566c\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cAt the end we are players, we have to answer on the pitch,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s what we did today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-f91ecb\" class=\"body-graf\">Pochettino made the case that the tournament marked a sizable turnaround from one year earlier, when the national team was a self-described \u201cmess\u201d after the Gold Cup. He added that progress is not always linear.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-abc3e9\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cI am so proud because in one year \u2026 this team show that we can play football, we can play soccer, we can compete,\u201d Pochettino said, before adding, \u201cthat we need to keep improving.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-749d8c\" class=\"body-graf\">What will sting the U.S. is that it may never have a better opportunity for its breakthrough.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-e8cd72\" class=\"body-graf\">As a co-host along with Mexico and Canada, the U.S. had a favorable draw that ensured it would never need to leave the Pacific time zone for its first six matches. In Los Angeles, Seattle and the Bay Area, the team played in front of rapturous, pro-U.S. crowds.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-61ba47\" class=\"body-graf\">Players said they understood that they were playing not only for short-term victories, but to help foster long-term enthusiasm for soccer in a country that has not always received the sport warmly. Last week, U.S. player Gio Reyna acknowledged that \u201cWorld Cups only come around every four years, especially on home soil; this opportunity will really never come back.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-36954f\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cI think that was the goal, to obviously inspire people that the sport was growing in the U.S., which I think we saw,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThe support was unbelievable. I think our initial reaction as a team was that in this moment we let them down. But I think altogether people gravitated towards the team because we were relatable, we represented exactly what the U.S. was today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-495d3e\" class=\"body-graf\">Defender Tim Ream said he was not in a mood to analyze the game\u2019s tactics Monday, but in the big-picture, said that it was important to wonder \u201chow can we continue to inspire (youth players) now that the tournament is over?\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-a5f894\" class=\"body-graf\">It isn\u2019t the only question that faces the U.S. now that its tournament is over.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-8fa872\" class=\"body-graf\">In recent years, U.S. Soccer has attracted more financial support, which has led to larger budgets and the resources capable of attracting a top coach like Pochettino. The billionaire Ken Griffin contributed a \u201csignificant part\u201d of the funding for Pochettino\u2019s deal, the federation has previously said. In the spring, U.S. Soccer opened its first dedicated training facility outside of Atlanta. And in June, the training center was the site of a summit of youth and national soccer officials from throughout the country as they set out to grapple with how to fix the flawed and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/sports\/soccer\/world-cup-2026-us-soccer-leaders-say-american-youth-system-broken-rcna346201\" target=\"_blank\">fragmented talent-development pipeline in this country. <\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-3b36c0\" class=\"body-graf\">How the U.S. spends its next four years before the next World Cup building on that momentum could decide how they fare in 2030. Of the 26 players on the roster, 17 play for teams based in Europe, as the U.S. grows its representation within many of the leagues considered the world\u2019s best. The average age of the Monday\u2019s lineup was more than 27 years old. Whether the federation brings in younger blood, while retaining some veteran leadership, will be something Pochettino, or another coach, must balance.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-6c8a45\" class=\"body-graf\">U.S. Soccer has reportedly offered its coach a contract extension, but Pochettino comes from a background of coaching some of the biggest clubs in the world, and more could court him now. He was non-committal about his future Monday, but said he and the U.S. Soccer Federation had \u201cbuilt a very good relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"styles_inlineImage__FvnTh styles_medium__MEKii\" id=\"anchor-79b0d7\"><picture class=\"styles_image__i32F7\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"fit\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-huddle-vsb-2337-387b2d.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-huddle-vsb-2337-387b2d.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-huddle-vsb-2337-387b2d.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-huddle-vsb-2337-387b2d.jpg 1x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-usa-huddle-vsb-2337-387b2d.jpg\" alt=\"Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, speaks with players in a huddle after the 1-4 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026.\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption styles_caption__TCewG\" data-testid=\"caption\"><span class=\"caption__container\" data-testid=\"caption__container\">Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, speaks with players in a huddle after the 1-4 loss, on Monday.<\/span><span class=\"caption__source\" data-testid=\"caption__source\">Sarah Stier \/ FIFA via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"anchor-1f2020\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cNow is a moment to see, to assess the tournament and for sure in the next weeks we can start to talk if the federation want to talk,\u201d Pochettino said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-a7ea2e\" class=\"body-graf\">Throughout the tournament, players had described the stark difference in atmosphere compared to four years earlier, when the World Cup was played in Qatar, as far as could be away from American support. But the feeling after another knockout stage loss was no different, Adams said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-6a4d49\" class=\"endmark body-graf\">\u201cThis was this was a moment to have the opportunity to advance and really try and do something special,\u201d he said. \u201cWe fell short.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SEATTLE \u2014 The U.S. men\u2019s soccer team entered the World Cup\u2019s round of 16 looking as though it had an edge on the rest of the soccer world. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. It ended Monday with another reminder it still is playing catch-up against&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_nbcnews-fp-1200-630,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-07\/260706-belgium-scores-two-vsb-2038-31119c.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}