Belgium, Emotions Destroy “Jailbreak” Balogun, United States

United States emotions got the better of them at the start when the Belgium destroy them on the pitch. Matt Freese, a Harvard alumnus, was under siege and as a result Belgium got an easy goal at 9 minutes by Charles De Ketelaere to make it 1-0. The United States would calm down and Malik Tillman would score off the free kick and deflection in the 31st minute to make it 1-1. However, the United States’ emotions would get the better of them again just 61 seconds later. De Ketelaere would score again to make it 2-1 Belgium in the 33rd minute. Halftime could not come at a better time for the US as this was one of the worst halves they had in this World Cup.

Christian Pulisic got injured and was limping for considerable amount of time before he got subbed off after halftime. Prior to this, Freese did a disastrous mistake by "playing with his food" and Belgium stole the ball from him. Hans Vanaken would score for Belgum in the 57th minute to make it 3-1.  Romelu Lukaku in the 90th +3rd minute sealed the deal for Belgium to make it 4-1. The final whistle was a mercy for the United States soccer team as another disappointing World Cup run comes to an end.

United States underachieved once again this World Cup cycle as they were expected to go as far as the quarterfinals and various questions will need to be answered before 2030. Can they qualify or will a team like Iceland surpass them (see World Cup 2018)?

North America continues to underachieve in the World Cup as all 3 hosts (Canada, Mexico, United States) exited the World Cup in the round of 16. This continues the stigma that the men’s soccer teams of North America are still far away from being compared to the elites of South America or Europe. 

Who will be on the roster even if the US qualifies? Christian Pulisic’s injury problems throughout the World Cup make his future murky.