Twenty-four days ago, the USA beat Paraguay 4-1 — scoring more goals in its 2026 World Cup opener than the three it managed during its entire run at the 2022 World Cup.
By the time Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s men faced Belgium in Seattle on Monday, they’d scored 10 goals and won their first knockout-stage game — 2-0 over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the round of 32— since the 2002 World Cup.
They sparked unprecedented enthusiasm for the U.S. men’s national team. They played in NFL stadiums full of soccer fans, and became mainstream American stars.
On Monday, 66,925 fans — overwhelmingly backing the home team — filled the home of the Sounders, Reign and Seahawks, providing another vivid display of their popularity.
Then the USA flamed out against Belgium’s Red Devils. The host’s World Cup ended with a 4-1 loss.
The wave of momentum the Americans were riding stalled from the opening kickoff.
Why did they come out so flat?
“It’s a great question,” midfielder Tyler Adams said. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”
A few seconds in, Sergiño Dest shielded the ball from Leandro Trossard for 10 yards to allow it to roll over the sideline. But Dest hadn’t seen that the ball came off his teammate, and gifted the Belgians a throw-in deep in U.S. territory.
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