The United States’ World Cup run came to a disappointing end with a lifeless loss to Belgium, a performance that left fans questioning the team's effort just as much as the result.
From the opening whistle, the USMNT looked sloppy in possession, slow to second balls, and lacking the urgency expected in a knockout-stage match. Belgium consistently won loose balls, controlled the tempo, and capitalized on the Americans' mistakes, while the U.S. struggled to string together meaningful attacks.
No player came under more scrutiny than Christian Pulisic. The U.S. captain endured one of his toughest performances of the tournament, losing possession 11 times in just the first 45 minutes. Whether it was heavy touches, misplaced passes, or failed dribbles, Pulisic never found a rhythm as Belgium repeatedly shut down the Americans' most dangerous attacker. Pulisic would leave the game with an injury in the 2nd half.
After the match, former USWNT star Carli Lloyd didn't hold back in her assessment. “I gotta be honest, I was a bit disappointed with Christian Pulisic. I think whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game and really the whole World Cup.”
Lloyd's comments echoed what many fans were already feeling. As the face of American soccer, Pulisic is expected to elevate his game on the biggest stage. Instead, he struggled to influence the match and was unable to spark an offense that lacked creativity and intensity throughout the night.
The defeat wasn't solely on Pulisic, however. The entire U.S. squad appeared a step behind, failing to match Belgium's energy, pressing, and composure. Too many unforced turnovers, missed tackles, and a lack of urgency ultimately defined the performance. Folarin Balogun was a total non factor as well.
The United States entered the tournament with high expectations after an encouraging run, but its exit served as a reminder that talent alone isn't enough. On a stage where every moment matters, Belgium played with greater discipline, sharper execution, and more determination. The talent is there, but if the team hopes to compete with the world's elite, performances like this simply can't happen.
