Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened… right? Right?
After a thorough thumping from Belgium, the U.S.’s World Cup dreams are over in the first knockout round. After a string of encouraging performances in the group stages, especially that convincing 4-1 win over Paraguay, hopes were that the U.S. Men’s National Team would advance to the quarter finals for the first time. Alas, first contact with quality opposition in this tournament and it all turned into something of a nightmare for USMNT, and the fans, new and old, have been left a little dumbstruck.
Firstly, there’s no shame in losing to Belgium, a side now-ranked 8th in FIFA’s Men’s World Ranking, with the U.S. in 16th place. Also, on comparitive squad value, Belgium’s 26 players are worth $626.18 million, according to Transfermarkt, with the U.S.’s players worth $441.07 million. Belgium’s squad also includes players like Thibaut Courtois, Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne who have won club soccer’s greatest prizes such as the Champions League and the Premier League, whereas the U.S.’s star player, Christian Pulisic, to be brutally honest, isn’t even among the top 100 world footballers, according to the latest Guardian survey of the best men’s players in the game (Belgium has three in the top 100).
