Sleepless in Seattle – US Gets Pounded 4-1 by Belgium in Round of 16

Wow I am going to admit I did not expect to see what we so painfully watched in Seattle. We didn’t get beat we got slaughtered at home. An unbelievable march of over 5,000 followed the beating drums of the American Outlaws thru the streets of downtown Seattle on way to the stadium – a stadium where the US had never lost. a Full house of over 70K cheered and sang but just 40 seconds in Belgium had a great shot turned back by Freese. Six minutes later Belgium’s Raskin brought it down the left wing crossed and youngster Charles de Keteraere overpowered Capt Tim Ream to start the onslaught. The US answered with this magical freekick by Malik Tillman that wrong footed the world’s best Goalkeeper Courtois, only to have the same thing happen 2 minutes later as Belgium again came down the wing crossed and the same guy de Ketelaere embarrased our Capt Ream again as he lept over him for the 2nd goal. The US pushed and had more possession as they pushed for the 2nd half equalizer but still could barely get a shot on goal. Belgium literally intercepted every single pass we made in the middle of the field – Pulisic gave up the ball a record 15 times in the first half alone as the US could barely string 3 passes together once in the final half of the field. Still there was hope just 1 goal down until Tim Ream and Freese had a middle school moment as Freese tried to control a long pass out of the box and had is stripped from him outside the box. A bumbling Ream let his man by to steal from Freese then let the ball roll right past him as he tripped on himself and watched it roll into the goal ending any chance the US had of a winning in the 57th minute. The US was outshot 15-7, 7-2 shots on goal, &

Before the tournament started I said that the round of 16 would be a good World Cup for the United States and the round of 8 would be a great World Cup for the United States. It turns out I was right about that.
I am disappointed because this team made me believe they were capable of more than the typical round of 16 finish. When they blew out Paraguay, beat Australia with ease, and their backups took Turkiye into the 98th minute, I thought this team was different. When Balogun got a red card, and they responded by not only holding Bosnia Herzegovina scoreless, but getting another goal, I thought this team was different. They scored 10 goals. The United States never scores 10 goals in a World Cup. Yes the group stage teams were weaker this time, but other countries had weaker group stage opponents as well and most didn’t score as many goals as the United States. I was excited and it turns out overconfident.
Then they had their first test against an elite team and they failed. They didn’t execute very well and they made mistakes they normally don’t make. In fairness, Belgium had a lot to do with that. They are an elite team and they forced some of those mistakes.
I would say overall this World Cup was bittersweet as a Team USA fan. I definitely think they have made a lot of progress compared to 4 years ago and I think Pochettino should be retained if he wants to return. It is also obvious that the USA has a long way to go before they will be an elite team. Will they ever get there? I don’t know. Our nation’s best athletes still play Football, Basketball, and Baseball over Soccer. I do think it is possible, but it is going to take 7 or 8 players with the talent level of Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun and a much better defense. Chris Richards can’t do it by himself. And Pulisic is not the guy. He is inconsistent and he is injury prone. He should probably be a sub in the future. Balogun and Tillman are the future of the team.
I will always bleed red, white, and blue and I will always strongly support USA Soccer. I will definitely not make any bold predictions next World Cup though.
Based on my expectations before the World Cup, Team USA had a good World Cup and I do believe that is the case. I am still proud of the team.
USA! USA! USA!

TV Schedule

Tues, July 7
12 noon Fox Argentina vs Egypt
4 pm Fox Switzerland vs Croatia
Thurs, July 9 Quarter Finals
4 pm Fox
Fri , July 10 Quarter Finals
3 pm Fox USA/Belgium vs Spain/Portugal
8 pm Prime Orlando Pride vs KC Current NWSL
8 pm HBO Max Racing Louisville vs Bay FC NWSL
Sat, July 11 Quarter Finals
5 pm Fox W91 vs W92
6:30 pm Ion NC Courage vs Washington Spirit (Rodman)
7 pm ESPN+ Detroit City vs Indy 11
8 pm Fox W95 vs W96
8:45 pm Ion San Diego Wave vs Angel City (Thompson)
Sun, July 12

Tues , July 14 Semi – Finals
3 pm Fox Semi 1
Weds , July 15 Semi – Finals
3 pm Fox Semi 2
Sat, July 18
5 pm Fox 3rd place game
Sun, July 19
3 pm Fox WC FINAL
All games on Fox, FS1 & Telemundo

World Cup Printable Schedule

NWSL action returns with Wave tea party, Sophia Wilson’s 50th goal, and Trinity Rodman late game-winner

Ally Sentnor, Kennedy Fuller, and Lily Reale also make debuts for their new clubs

WEEKEND RESULTS

Washington Spirit 2-1 Houston Dash

Denver Summit 0-3 Kansas City Current

Angel City FC 2-0 Orlando Pride

North Carolina Courage 3-1 Seattle Reign

San Diego Wave 2-0 Gotham FC

Boston Legacy 2-2 Bay FC

Chicago Stars 3-2 Utah Royals

Portland Thorns 4-0 Racing Louisville

FIRSTS

• Michelle Cooper scored her first NWSL brace to lead the Current to a win
• Bay’s Claire Hutton scored not only her first club goal but her first NWSL goal
• Kennedy Fuller (Bay FC), Ally Sentnor (Angel City FC), and Lily Reale (Boston Legacy FC) all made their club debuts after recent transfers

CELLY CORNER

San Diego’s Melanie Barcenas broke out a timeless celly in honor of the GOAT’s birthday. After scoring her third goal of the season, Mel B hit ‘em with a sip of tea à la Alex Morgan. Bottom’s up!

COMING UP…

Rivals Face Off

Is there anything better than a good rivalry? No, there isn’t.

NWSL Rivarly Week presented by Ally is coming up, and it’s a three match slate that will set the tone for the rest of the season.The first place San Diego Wave host Angel City FC for the next SoCal Derby It’s always fun when San Diego and Angel City face off, but with both coming off shutout wins, neither one will want to give up an inch of momentum. The Cascadia Rivalry returns to Seattle. The Thorns are coming off a stunning 4-0 win that got everyone involved while the Reign are had a tough go of it in North Carolina. It would be quite the statement to win at home against a bitter foe. Finally, Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit are set to make history at Citi Field on July 15 in a 2025 NWSL Championship rematch. With Gotham set to make the move to Queens in 2028, it’s a great way to kick off a new era.