I think I’d rather have my starting player and leading goal scorer than a galvanizing speech lol The US lost because they weren’t as good. They had every advantage in this World Cup, from the home field, to the group, to the first round matchup, to even this round playing a shaky looking Belgium team that was lucky to get by Senegal.
Biggest issue was the overhyping of the US after a great first game against Paraguay. Could and should have played better yesterday, but Belgium had three players on the bench who would all be regarded as the greatest player to ever play for the United States. When you line that up against a team starting Tim Ream in any year let alone 2026, what did we expect the ceiling to be?
I mean, yeah, all true. But the team was in pretty good form during the tournament so it is not unreasonable at all to have some expectations going into that game. Paraguay proved they aren’t an easy out despite the US destroying them in that first game. So downplaying that win in hindsight is harsh imo. Belgium is clearly a more talented and more experienced team. But like I said, the US team was playing well and coming into the game in great form. I think Belgium came out extremely motivated and pissed off while the US looked shook and overwhelmed. And from there, the talent discrepancy shined.
Was weird because Belgium very much started the tournament slow and in most other circumstances the "vibes" were very much behind the US.
By all accounts, De Ketelaere had an awful domestic season (by his standards) and he's not particularly liked by Atalanta fans because of it. I don't think anyone could have seen the emphatic nature of last nights defeat coming. If you did...lottery numbers via pm please lol
Belgium’s dramatic win in the previous round was probably pretty galvanizing as well. But yeah, hugely disappointing and embarrassing performance from US, even with acknowledging they were playing a better team.
This if we’re gonna use prior competition and goal differential as a proxy USMNT is worse than Iran, Egypt, and Senegal.
There was a good stretch to start the second half before the worst goal of the tournament where you could see glimpses of how the US had played in the group stage. Belgium obviously deserved the win and put the US in its place, clear again now they’re a much better team, but I do think there’s a version where the US don’t come out scared and a lucky bounce or two gives a different result or at least a game that’s in question going into stoppage time. The combo of coming out flat + giving up two horrendous mistake goals was way too much to overcome.
Quarterfinals are shaping up to be very exciting. Of the 3 matchups we know, I wouldn’t be surprised at any result. France is the easy pick the rest of the way but I don’t know. I think we’re gonna see them get bounced. I think I’m rooting for Norway from here even though they’re unlikely to beat England. It could happen though! They’re playing very organized and have a player that is a threat to score at all times. That can do some damage in a knockout setting.
Their system is rigged to get the best out of Messi. Does Paz disrupt that? I don't watch Como games.