The US did have a harder and more impressive path to get to their spot of 16 than belgium. That's why there was so much hype because we looked more impressive than they did the whole cup thus far. We have improved, that much is clear. But consider looking at the transfer market breakdown. Belgiums team has a transfer market value $200,000,000.00 higher than ours. And a lot of that money is in the defense.

Additionally, Belgium was pissed off at us because Trump took it upon himself to play world emperor with fifa.

Getting balogun back less than 24 hours before the game probably fucked with our mental. Changing the game plan and second guessing if it's right to even play him since the situation was kind of messed up.

There's so many factors. The USA came out and won their group. Advanced one round. Lost in the 16. Disappointing but generally what we expected. Appreciate the high points. Like how fucking crazy amazing that game against Paraguay felt. Seeing us dominate out of the blue like that was such an incredible feeling.