The USMNT has now won it’s group in the World Cup and exceeded the number of games its one in a single tournament. Not only that, but the team beat a European opponent for the first time in at least this group’s time together. Now there is an entirely new challenge before the team as it takes on a side that is stacked with talent and experience at the highest level. Belgium’s resume is well known, but the USA has plenty going for it and as has been seen in the tournament, everything goes out the window
once a ref’s whistle sounds at the start of a match.
As for what to expect from the USA, the team is now solidly drilled in its attacking mentality. It showed in the friendly against Belgium that it can be effective in implementing it and can do so against a strong opponent. That was obviously a friendly, but the first half of that match last March was up to that point the best soccer the team had played. Since then, things have only gotten better and the mental toughness that the team will need has been deepened. The last half-hour a man down against Bosnia and Herzegovina not only showed that the team can change gears mid-match when needed, but can even do so in style as Malik Tilllman’s freekick goal showed.
For their part, Belgium is everything that can be expected of a team with players competition for titles across league and international club championships. They excel in the press, have a size advantage on set pieces, have stellar goalkeeping and depth. That said, they showed cracks against Senegal in a grueling 120 minute match that they were losing until the 89th minute. Belgium dug deep and found a game winner at the death, but those veterans’ legs will be feeling the extra thirty minute that the Americans avoided in their Round of 32 match.
Of course, the USA received some good news as Folarin Balogun’s red card was rescinded in a move that is typically reserved for backroom conversations. Or not, the VAR may have done something wrong because the center ref made a call or didn’t or the player from the opposing team… at this point it’s all confusing and whatever actually happened – or didn’t happen – doesn’t seem relevant anymore as the hot takes and snap reactions have filled the space that facts typically occupy. That said, it’s not like they beat Peru 6-0 in a suspiciously lopsided win to advance to the final, but it’s a move that follows the sports dark arts mantra of “if you ain’t cheatin’ you ain’t tryin’” more than being invested in competitive equity. While it seems like there is justification for the decision that goes beyond the political dynamics involved, the USA will go into the game with Balo thanks to what might have been a procedural misstep that gives enough cover to make it seem like this is the right call – once again proving that being technically right is the best kind of right.
That said, the USMNT will need to play the game of their lives to beat Belgium, a task that is within reach but will require all of the skill, grit, determination, team spirit, belief, a touch of luck, and seizing chances that are open to them. If it all comes together the team heads to the semi-finals, down country roads to the place they will prove they belong.
