Trump Called FIFA. The US Lost 4-1 Anyway.
Trump called FIFA, Balogun played, and the United States lost to Belgium 4-1 anyway. There is no political fix for a structural soccer problem.
usmnt
29 articles
France Built This. We Bought Our Way to 4-1.
France just put two players with 5+ goals in the same World Cup — a feat not seen since Brazil 2002. The US went home 4-1. The infrastructure gap explains both.
USMNT vs Belgium: Pay-to-Play Costs Us Again
Belgium beat the USMNT 4-1 on American soil. The real reason US Soccer keeps losing at World Cups has nothing to do with coaching. It never did.
The President Called FIFA. Bettors Got Torched.
Trump called FIFA, the line flipped, 91% of BetMGM handle went on the US. Then Belgium won 4-1. When a president can move sportsbook odds, something broke.
This Is the Scoreline That Ends the Conversation
Belgium routed the US 4-1 in Seattle, ending America's World Cup. De Ketelaere was everywhere, Pulisic limped off, and Pochettino's plan never materialized.
USMNT vs Belgium Is American Soccer's Real Test
Balogun's back, the excuses are expired, and Belgium is the real deal. Tonight in Seattle is the moment American soccer has waited a generation for.
Trump Called FIFA and It Worked. Now What?
FIFA reversed Balogun's red card ban after Trump called Infantino. Belgium is furious. The precedent it sets for World Cup 2026 is worse than the call.
America Has Run Out of Excuses Not to Watch Soccer
Two World Cup knockout matches air on FOX this Fourth of July, broadcast from Independence Hall. The 1994 World Cup planted something in America. In 2026, it finally bloomed.
FIFA Won't Let the USA Appeal Balogun's Red Card
FIFA built a rule with no recourse — and Folarin Balogun's suspension is the first time anyone's noticed. He misses Belgium on July 6. There is no appeal.
USMNT vs. Bosnia: The Moment of Truth
The USMNT beat Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0, then Pochettino rotated and lost to Turkey 3-2. Now Bosnia in the Round of 32. Here's what the data says.
USMNT's Depth Problem Just Got Very Real
Pochettino's rotation was defensible. His B-squad giving up a 98th-minute winner to Turkey is the part that should worry everyone heading into Bosnia.
The USMNT Won the Group. Nobody Was Watching.
The USMNT won Group D on home soil for the first time since 2010 while American sports media was consumed by the NBA Draft. The gap reveals something important.
The World Cup Chaos Pick Bettors Are Missing
Spain nearly got shut out by a 40-year-old nicknamed Grandma. The board is still anchoring to reputation. Here's where the real World Cup 2026 betting value is.
The USMNT's World Cup Bracket Path Is Suspiciously Clean
The USMNT clinched Group D with two wins and a bracket path that avoids Brazil, Germany, and Spain for two rounds. It never looks this clean.
USMNT Owns Group D and the Bracket Is a Gift
USMNT clinches first place in Group D at the 2026 World Cup with 6 points. The USA knockout bracket path avoids Brazil and Germany for two rounds.
Fox Sports and ESPN Are Fighting Over Who Made It Rain
Fox is mad ESPN didn't cover the 2026 World Cup enough. ESPN says FIFA's rules made it impossible. Scott Van Pelt drew goals on a whiteboard.
Folarin Balogun Chose America and England Is Paying for It
Folarin Balogun had 28 England youth caps before choosing America. Then he scored twice in his World Cup debut. England fans must be absolutely sick right now.
Pulisic's Calf and the USMNT's Depth Problem
Pulisic injury USMNT Australia World Cup 2026: Christian Pulisic is day-to-day with a calf knock. What does Pochettino do if he can't start Friday?
Fox Ran Ads Over the World Cup Then Blamed ESPN
Fox paid $485M to own the World Cup, ran ads over live action on day one, got away with it, and still blamed ESPN. Here's who's actually failing American soccer fans.
The WAGs Are Running the World Cup Narrative
Georgina Rodriguez has 72M+ followers and a Netflix show. Antonela Roccuzzo is a brand. The WAG economy just landed on US soil — and it hits different.
Folarin Balogun Introduced Himself to America.
Folarin Balogun scored twice for the USMNT in a 4-1 win over Paraguay. Here's who he is, why he chose the USA, and what it means for American soccer.
Balogun Chose America. Last Night Proved It.
Folarin Balogun scored twice in the USMNT's 4-1 World Cup opener. He chose America over England in 2023. Three years later, that looks like the best call in US Soccer history.
American Sportsbooks Aren't Ready for This
The $2.8B-$4.3B World Cup 2026 US betting handle projection is about to stress-test sportsbook infrastructure built for football Sundays, not a 39-day global tournament.
Pulisic and the 32-Year Wait: USMNT vs Paraguay Is Here
USMNT vs Paraguay World Cup 2026 preview: Christian Pulisic ended his 8-game drought, SoFi Stadium is sold out, and 330 million Americans need more than one goal to believe.
World Cup 2026 Opens Tomorrow and Nobody Is Fully Ready for What's About to Happen
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens at the Azteca tomorrow, USA plays Friday at SoFi, and Shakira is performing. Here is everything you need before it starts.
Pochettino's Roster Is a Philosophy Statement
Tessmann out, a 10th defender in, Tyler Adams as the only CDM. Pochettino's 26-man World Cup roster is a philosophy statement — and it's a conservative one.
Pulisic Says He'll Score. Donovan Is 'Very Worried.'
Christian Pulisic hasn't scored for USMNT since November 2024 — eight straight games, a home World Cup two weeks away. Donovan is very worried. Pulisic is not.
Pochettino Sent an Email. That's Who He Is.
Pochettino told players they were cut from the World Cup roster by email. Ty Baskin on why the method tells you everything about the manager.
Gio Reyna Is Going to the World Cup. Diego Luna Isn't.
Gio Reyna made the USMNT World Cup roster. Diego Luna didn't. Jess Navarro on what the selection says about Pochettino's priorities.