A shambolic end for the American dream - did Balogun saga play a part?
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- United States suffered a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup last-16 round in Seattle — their heaviest loss since 1990 — completing a last-16 exit for all three tournament co-hosts (US, Canada, Mexico).
- Folarin Balogun started after FIFA controversially suspended his red card from the previous match, a decision that drew criticism from UEFA, Belgium and England boss Thomas Tuchel and prompted Donald Trump to publicly ask FIFA to review it.
- Charles De Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium with a tap-in and a header, and Hans Vanaken added a third after De Ketelaere dispossessed hesitant US goalkeeper Matt Freese, who had strayed outside his area.
- Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged his side 'was never in the game' and conceded the defending was at fault; his contract expires after the World Cup and he offered no clarity on his future.
- Belgium boss Rudi Garcia said Balogun approached him after the final whistle and told him the red-card saga was 'not his fault.'
- Despite the exit, US supporters told BBC Sport the tournament had boosted the game's profile domestically, with fan zones packed and national team jerseys seen nationwide throughout the competition.
Why it matters: All three World Cup co-hosts — the US, Canada and Mexico — exited at the last-16 stage, a sobering outcome for a tournament the US helped organize and was banking on to accelerate soccer's domestic growth. With Pochettino's deal up and the federation yet to decide on his future, the US now faces a reset at exactly the moment they need continuity to convert this tournament's exposure into a lasting football culture.
