SEATTLE — The United States enters its World Cup meeting with Belgium with Folarin Balogun eligible, a first back-to-back knockout-stage win in reach and a first quarterfinal berth since 2002 on the line.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to have his preferred lineup available against No. 9 Belgium at Lumen Field. The Americans were ranked No. 17 before the tournament and now face a rematch of the 2014 round of 16 game in Brazil, where the Red Devils won 2-1 after extra time.
Christian Pulisic said Belgium has “a lot of players that can hurt you” and stressed that the U.S. must be sharper in decisive moments. The winner advances to face Spain or Portugal, with France or Morocco possible in the semifinal.
Balogun available after Bosnia red card
Balogun can play after FIFA put his suspension on hold following a red card against Bosnia. The decision came after President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The U.S. reached this match by beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 on goals from Balogun and Malik Tillman, only the Americans’ second World Cup knockout-stage win. Before that, they had lost their group finale to Turkey 3-2 on a stoppage-time goal and entered the knockout rounds with a 10-game, four-year losing streak against European opponents.
Belgium brings 2014 history and recent form
Belgium reached this stage after rallying from a two-goal deficit in the 86th minute to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the round of 32.
The Red Devils also beat the U.S. in 2014 on goals by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, then won 5-2 in a March friendly in Atlanta. U.S. captain Tim Ream said the teams are “two very different teams now” from that meeting, while Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper said the March score “gives a distorted picture” and could have ended differently.
Belgium’s 2014 World Cup return came after a 12-year absence, with Thibaut Courtois, De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Lukaku and Divock Origi among the roster. Belgium later stood No. 1 in the FIFA rankings from November 2015 through March 2016 and again from September 2018 through February 2022, but went out in the quarterfinals in 2014, the semifinals in 2018 and the group stage in 2022.
Four players remain from that 2014 group: Courtois, De Bruyne, Lukaku and Axel Witsel. Courtois called this “a new era” for Belgium, with younger players trying to write another chapter for the national team.
Lumen Field expected to be packed
A sellout crowd of more than 66,000 is expected at Lumen Field. On FIFA’s resale site, seats in the Hawks Nest above the northern end were listed from $1,840 to $8,050.
The U.S. already felt the stadium’s backing during a 2-0 group-stage win over Australia on June 19, when a red-white-and-blue crowd sang John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after the match. Seattle’s soccer culture also includes supporters’ marches down Occidental Avenue before Seattle Sounders games.
Pochettino referred to the crowd as “the 12th men” and has already become the first U.S. coach with three World Cup wins. Ream and Tyler Adams both pointed to the tournament as a chance to raise soccer’s profile in the United States, where the sport still trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity.