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By Mallory Mattingly
After being one of the most powerful teams in the FIFA World Cup, the United States Men’s National Team was eliminated Monday night.
In an unfortunate run-in with Belgium, the United States lost 1-4, which ended their tournament run.
The United States went down 0-1 early after Belgium scored in the 9th minute. In a packed-out Lumen Field, the only United States goal came from a free kick by Malik Tillman. Two minutes later, the United States conceded another Belgium goal.
Belgium takes an early lead pic.twitter.com/Ig1uFYtLdI
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026
“Today wasn’t a good day,” midfielder Tyler Adams said after the game, per Yahoo Sports. “It stings. This was a moment to have the opportunity to advance and really try and do something special. We fell short.”
In the first half, the United States didn’t seem to have the energy or drive that they had in previous matches. The team was flat and not aggressive until the second half, but by that time, it was too late.
Related: USMNT Star Leans on Faith and Fellowship to Anchor His Soccer Career
It didn’t help that USMNT star Christian Pulisic was injured early in the second half with an ankle injury.
This situation surrounding star player Folarin Balogun put a lot of eyes on Monday’s game. In the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, Balogun received a red card for an unintentional tackle, which was later overturned after FIFA reviewed the call.
This isn’t the first time the USMNT lost in the round of 16; the same thing happened the last time the team appeared in the World Cup.
“It feels exactly the same,” Tyler Adams said, per ESPN. “I think overall there were positives that we’re going to take away from it, [but] it just doesn’t feel like it matters.”
Ultimately, the United States may be out of the World Cup, but they’re grateful for the chance to inspire soccer fans.
“You believed. You filled stadiums. You brought the game into homes and communities across the country,” the USMNT shared on Instagram. “Most of all, you showed everyone what this crest means. Thank you.”
While the sting of this early exit from the World Cup will linger, the tournament marked a turning point for soccer in America. Playing on home soil at Lumen Field and drawing massive crowds across the nation proved that the sport has officially captured the American mainstream.
For the USMNT, the focus now shifts from what went wrong against Belgium to what lies ahead. With a young core that gained invaluable tournament experience, the foundation is laid for the next cycle. They may have fallen short of a trophy, but by filling stadiums and capturing the nation’s imagination, this team proved that soccer in the United States is no longer just a growing sport — it is here to stay.
Following the loss, Mark McKenzie led his team in prayer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DaeXjXzEpTS/?hl=en
Read Next: Faith on the Field: World Cup Stars Around the World Glorify God
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