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Has a USMNT game ever felt more of a litmus test than this one?
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:38 am
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:38 am
We've obviously played in R16 matches before, and played some global powers in the group stage plenty of times. Germany, England, Belgium, and Portugal being familiar foes.
This one just feels a lot different, and I think all of us hope that's justified. The vibes around the game seem to be a lot closer to "we should win this game" than "we can win this game."
I can't really recall a similar match in my 16 years watching. This is a top 10 global side from Europe and the team and nation behind them is expecting to win, like actually expecting to win. We will know soon enough when the ball is kicked off, but this game will tell the story of America as a footballing nation moving forward. We will either be validated that we're here to stay or humbled that we've still got a ways to go and there are levels to this.
This one just feels a lot different, and I think all of us hope that's justified. The vibes around the game seem to be a lot closer to "we should win this game" than "we can win this game."
I can't really recall a similar match in my 16 years watching. This is a top 10 global side from Europe and the team and nation behind them is expecting to win, like actually expecting to win. We will know soon enough when the ball is kicked off, but this game will tell the story of America as a footballing nation moving forward. We will either be validated that we're here to stay or humbled that we've still got a ways to go and there are levels to this.
8
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:40 am to Riseupfromtherubble
This game could be the USA announcing itself as a world power in a sport where it has historically been a backwater. Or it will be forgotten in the news cycle by most Americans in a week.
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 8:41 am
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:41 am to Riseupfromtherubble
To be honest our coaches have been shite. GGG had circles coached around him against the Netherlands in Qatar. We actually have a competent coach to tactically compete against the better nations. And the talent to compete.
No one on our team has the talent of Prime age KDB or RL but we probably are more talented in 2026 than Belgium are or at least even and younger. Belgium haven’t looked great. This is absolutely a winnable game and the reason we are the betting favorite.
No one on our team has the talent of Prime age KDB or RL but we probably are more talented in 2026 than Belgium are or at least even and younger. Belgium haven’t looked great. This is absolutely a winnable game and the reason we are the betting favorite.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:47 am to Riseupfromtherubble
This would be the first knockout game I will be legitimately disappointed if we lose since Ghana 2010, and before that Mexico 2002
So yeah, this doesn't happen often and I would say this is the biggest game in USMNT history since Germany 2002
So yeah, this doesn't happen often and I would say this is the biggest game in USMNT history since Germany 2002
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:51 am to Riseupfromtherubble
This is our chance to exorcise the Wondo demons. That feeling of shock from him flubbing the open shot still resonates 12 years later. I will be exceptionally downtrodden if we fail tonight.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 8:52 am to 03 West CoChamps
Our coaching was subpar for a long time along with our development being so far behind other countries. You also have football, basketball and baseball here as main focus of youth sports leaving soccer as the fourth spot at best and sometimes further down depending on the region. Even if our best athletes are playing soccer as kids it’s a ride along sport to the other sports or at least was when I was growing up.
We now have better coaching, our youth system has gotten better so we are getting better. Our best players are playing in top leagues and getting that training.
It’s crazy we use to only produce goal keepers and now that is our weak link.
We now have better coaching, our youth system has gotten better so we are getting better. Our best players are playing in top leagues and getting that training.
It’s crazy we use to only produce goal keepers and now that is our weak link.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 9:11 am to Riseupfromtherubble
I have friends who call soccer gay every chance they get talking about how excited they are to tune into this match.
I truly believe this is the biggest game in USMNT history. A win tonight, at minimum, locks in USMNT fans for the future.
It helps that this group of players is so damn likable as well. They truly are a great representation of the USA.
I truly believe this is the biggest game in USMNT history. A win tonight, at minimum, locks in USMNT fans for the future.
It helps that this group of players is so damn likable as well. They truly are a great representation of the USA.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 9:12 am to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
We've obviously played in R16 matches before
US has literally lost to Belgium in 2014
quote:
I would say this is the biggest game in USMNT history since Germany 2002
2009 Confederation Cup Final*
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 9:15 am
Posted on 7/6/26 at 9:20 am to tzimme4
quote:
US has literally lost to Belgium in 2014
Revenge for Trim Howard’s beard.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 10:17 am to lionward2014
quote:
I truly believe this is the biggest game in USMNT history.
no question.
the foundation shifts if we win tonight.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 10:27 am to Riseupfromtherubble
This is the first round of 16 game that we've played in since Mexico in '02 where I've felt pretty confident that we should win if we play well. We don't even have to play our best game IMO. Just no stupid mistakes on defense and keep playing the offense that we saw with our starters this World Cup.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 10:28 am to CBandits82
The key to this run has been our center defending. Richards & Ream have locked it down in the back this tournament.
I’ll be really interested to see how they withstand more pressure and better set pieces tonight. I think they’re up for the challenge
I’ll be really interested to see how they withstand more pressure and better set pieces tonight. I think they’re up for the challenge
Posted on 7/6/26 at 10:39 am to Riseupfromtherubble
On one hand, it's not really fair to assess an entire program on one match.
However, playing a World Cup at home in front of a wildy enthusiastic crowd against a European team whose ranking seems just as much residue off success a few years ago as current quality is a once in a generation opportunity.
However, playing a World Cup at home in front of a wildy enthusiastic crowd against a European team whose ranking seems just as much residue off success a few years ago as current quality is a once in a generation opportunity.
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 10:44 am
Posted on 7/6/26 at 10:43 am to wm72
Yeah this is a must win for the program. Need to be the last host standing and match our greatest modern era WC performance.
It is reasonable to expect a win tonight. After tonight, a win would be an absolute upset and an unreasonable expectation.
It is reasonable to expect a win tonight. After tonight, a win would be an absolute upset and an unreasonable expectation.
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 10:47 am
Posted on 7/6/26 at 10:50 am to MetArl15
Tell that to the ‘80 men’s hockey team.
It all starts with one upset, like it did for them against Czechoslovakia in 80. After that the belief is there and the sky is the limit.
Now…Belgium is not that team. But if you win tonight you’ll get that opportunity against Spain or Portugal
It all starts with one upset, like it did for them against Czechoslovakia in 80. After that the belief is there and the sky is the limit.
Now…Belgium is not that team. But if you win tonight you’ll get that opportunity against Spain or Portugal
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 10:51 am
Posted on 7/6/26 at 10:58 am to TXGunslinger10
We shouldn't even see beating this Belgium team as an upset... I think we should just be expected to win. After this, any win is an upset.
But the odds before Balogun were +165 each for USA and Belgium (I forgot the draw odds), and now it looks like +145 USA, +185 Belgium, +240 Draw (not sure if this is for 90 mins or the AET score).
But the odds before Balogun were +165 each for USA and Belgium (I forgot the draw odds), and now it looks like +145 USA, +185 Belgium, +240 Draw (not sure if this is for 90 mins or the AET score).
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 11:00 am
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