The U. S.
Men's National Team is set to face Belgium in a historic FIFA World Cup Round of 16 knockout match in Seattle on Monday, July 6, 2026.
The Americans aim to secure a quarterfinal berth for the third time ever.
The heavily favored U. S.
squad enters the knockout stage with a major boost after FIFA rescinded a red card issued to leading goal scorer Folarin Balogun.
His availability strengthens an already confident team.
Analyses of recent performances show Belgium struggled significantly against pressure and speed in their previous match against Senegal.
Despite rallying late after manager Rudi Garcia substituted superstars Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, the team appeared vulnerable.
McCarty: USMNT Peaking at Right Time
Former MLS and USMNT star Dax McCarty shared his insights on the trajectory of both national programs ahead of the crucial match.
"I think they're peaking at the right time, playing some of the best soccer this team has played in years, and I think Belgium is going in the opposite direction," McCarty said.
McCarty noted that while the European roster still possesses dangerous individual talent, the physical metrics favor the hosts.
"They still have quality, they still can hurt you, like we saw in the last 20 minutes against Senegal," he added.
The veteran midfielder emphasized the U. S.
team's superior athletic mobility and tactical energy.
"But I think the US Men's National team is fitter, I think they're more mobile, I think they have more dynamism in the way that they attack, the way that they press," McCarty said.
Expressing absolute confidence, McCarty indicated that expectations remain high regardless of individual player availability. "I think we are clear favorites going into this game," he stated.
He reiterated that the program's progression makes anything less than a victory a massive disappointment.
"And I would be very disappointed, even without Folarin Balogun, if we lost this game, that is how confident I am in the US Men's National Team," McCarty said.
Pulisic: Belief and Resilience
Team captain Christian Pulisic spoke to reporters on the University of Washington campus Sunday morning, describing the operational culture under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
"We're American, it's what we do," Pulisic said.
The forward emphasized the psychological resilience that helped the squad win their group despite critical injuries to key personnel.
"We believe anything is possible," he added.
Pulisic concluded by summarizing the collective competitive spirit driving the host nation.
"We're a team that's gonna fight, we're going to give it everything we've got, and we believe that we can win this thing," he said.
