USA<\/a> vs. Belgium in the FIFA World Cup<\/a> Round of 16. We\u2019ve seen this matchup before!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It was Brazil 2014, a knockout game where I was fortunate to play 105 minutes. Tim Howard delivered his iconic Secretary of Defense performance, making a World Cup-record 16 saves against a nation\u2019s golden generation.<\/p>\n We finished regulation time tied 0-0, but ultimately lost 2-1 in extra time and were eliminated from the tournament. That Belgium team was special, though. We created some chances and ultimately fell short. Winning that game was always going to be difficult.<\/p>\n I\u2019m confident things will be different on Monday night when the US host Belgium in Seattle (8 pm ET | FOX, Telemundo, Peacock).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Some stars remain from Belgium\u2019s iconic 2014 squad \u2013 Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku \u2013 but they\u2019re aging and the collective isn\u2019t as dangerous. With how the US are playing right now under Mauricio Pochettino, and with home-field advantage behind them, they\u2019ve got a much better chance and are arguably even favored.<\/p>\n We were the underdogs going into that knockout game in Brazil. That’s not the case this time. This US team is strong, they’re confident and they\u2019ve found their rhythm. The match will be a bit more open, which favors the US, and we’ll probably have more possession and create chances.<\/p>\n Also, what people might not remember about the 2014 game is that if we had won, we would have played the quarterfinal on Fourth of July weekend against Argentina and Lionel Messi<\/a>. Imagine the level of attention that game would have gotten against the world’s best player. We missed out on that opportunity. Now, here’s another game on the Fourth of July holiday weekend where, if you win, you’re making history and further cementing a legacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n The guys are obviously focused on Belgium, but they also know Spain and Portugal are alongside them in the bracket. Win and there’s another unbelievable opportunity to face an amazing football nation with incredible star players. Imagine if they get to play a quarterfinal against Spain or Portugal. The viewership and interest would reach even bigger heights.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n This game got an extraordinary update on Sunday, too.<\/p>\n Folarin Balogun is now available after being red-carded vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee delayed his one-game suspension in a stunning twist of events.<\/p>\n I was wondering how Pochettino would replace his No. 9 after last week’s controversial call. Those questions disappear, and Balogun has the chance to add to his team-leading three goals.<\/p>\n It’s a massive boost for the US. Balogun is the best striker in the USMNT pool and has been in great form, not just for the national team, but also for AS Monaco. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a move to a bigger club or league after the World Cup.<\/p>\n Almost nobody was expecting this development. And it comes the day before an elimination game!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT\u2019s round of 16 match against Belgium, with his one-game red-card ban that he received against Bosnia and Herzegovina suspended.<\/p>\n Article 27 of FIFA\u2019s disciplinary code states that \u201cthe judicial body may decide to fully or\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/zesheTrCjH<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nNot like 2014<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Balogun available<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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