NEW HAVEN — There was some hope that the USA would get through their last-16 tie against Belgium in Seattle, perhaps even with Folarin Balogun playing a starring role. If this was the only way to shame Fifa into a full explanation, not just for the decision they made but how they got there and whether it establishes new precedent, why not? The USA’s exit allows this rotten case to be quickly brushed under the rug before the quarter-finals.
Maybe, but this was the appropriate end. You pulled all those levers. You left a sour taste. You slipped a viper into the tent of football’s governance and started a civil war between Fifa and Uefa, the two houses of the sport. And you did it all so that you could lose 4-1 to a barely functional Belgium team. Also-rans don’t usually come with asterisks.
There will be bitter disappointment at the manner of the exit, not least the calamitous third goal that clinched defeat. Goalkeeper Matt Freese may feel that he was fouled, but really it was just two athletes that got tangled up. That’s how it works now, right.
Was it all worth it? Over the course of this tournament, Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT had made friends amongst travelling supporters and earned admirers for the courage and intensity of their play.
