The United States men's national team crashed out of the Geopolitics World Cup with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in Seattle, ending a tournament marred by political controversy. The loss, which came on Monday, followed similar exits for Canada and Mexico, as the host nation's campaign unraveled amid off-field drama involving President Donald Trump and Fifa.
Trump's intervention in Balogun ban sparks controversy
Folarin Balogun, who had scored three goals in four games, was sent off in the last 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a VAR review triggered an automatic one-match ban. Trump phoned Fifa three times requesting the ban be lifted for the last 16, and according to Fifa, these calls had no impact on the decision to overturn the suspension. The move sparked outrage across the football world, with Uefa and Fifa engaged in a war of words, and Infantino's credibility further damaged.
The controversy overshadowed the USMNT's campaign, turning a likeable team into pawns in a political game. Fans were left feeling sorry for the squad, which had previously enjoyed strong support.
Performance falters under pressure
Instead of capitalizing on the controversy to fuel a dominant performance, the US team failed to show up. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino displayed visible frustration, kicking a crate of hydration drinks after the team squandered their equalizer by conceding again within seconds. The defense was particularly poor, with Tim Ream's soft defending for Belgium's second goal and goalkeeper Matt Freese's risky foray 40 yards from goal for the third goal proving costly.
While the off-field drama likely had a net negative effect, the team's tentative performance suggests they may simply have been outmatched by a half-decent Belgium side at the business end of the tournament.
Other tournament highlights
In other last-16 action, Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 after extra time, and Switzerland lost 1-3 to Colombia. Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed his last World Cup after Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain, saying, 'I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything... Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a title trophy. I leave here with a clear conscience.'
Football Daily letters included Pat Condreay's comment: 'I officially withdraw my request for the USA USA USA to regain one of our exclamation points... the president has managed to destroy any joy and pride that might be had from the USMNT at the GWC.'
