Not just because of the result, which was a deserving win for the Belgian team, but because of how poorly the USMNT played.Former players, coaches and analysts have all, correctly, blasted the team's poor effort, lack of fundamentals and inexcusable mistakes.The loss not only ended their run and put an abrupt halt to the momentum the team had built up, but it once again threw into question the entire US Soccer development program and the player pool.
Starting 38-year-old Tim Ream at center back against Belgium's world-class strikers always looked like a mismatch.And boy, it didn't take long for those concerns to be validated.AFTER BLOWOUT LOSS TO BELGIUM, MANY ARE WONDERING IF TEAM USA IS BETTER OR WORSE THAN IT WAS A DECADE AGOPlayers of USA react to the loss after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium) in Seattle, Washington, United States on July 6, 2026.
(Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images)For fans who saw visions of the quarterfinals, or perhaps an even deeper run, it was a stark reminder of how far US soccer has to go to be truly elite.And the team addressed those obvious concerns in their post-cup statement.
Which, confusingly, was also posted in Spanish."Dear America, We believed," the statement says."So did you.
When we asked, 'Why not us?' you answered.You filled stadiums.
You brought the game into your homes, bars, parks and communities across the country.Every time our players stepped onto the field, they carried your support with them.
Wearing the crest is a privilege, and hearing your voices throughout this tournament is something we will never forget."We'll learn from this.We'll get better to compete with the world's best.
And we'll keep doing the work because that's what this team and this country expects of us.To every kid who watched this team and dreams of wearing this crest one day: keep playing or start playing today.
We'll be cheering for ...