SEATTLE — “Great moments are born from great opportunity.”
It’s little wonder why USA coach Mauricio Pochettino co-opted one of the most famous quotes in American sports history in the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, noted fan of the Miracle on Ice that he has become.
Originally, the sentiment applied to the entire tournament. Now, it perfectly encapsulates Monday’s all-or-nothing round of 16 contest here against Belgium.
This is the big one.
(Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images).
In the last three World Cups the U.S. mens national team participated in, it was eliminated at this stage. But none of those teams was riding the wave of momentum that has captured the imagination of the American public over the last month. None talked openly about winning the whole thing. Most crucially, none of them were playing here at home.
“As a team, we want to leave our mark on the game and a legacy behind,” veteran midfielder Tyler Adams said on Friday. “I want it to be more than just what this moment has created and the hype around it.”
Only a victory will accomplish that.
(Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Adams didn’t play in that match because of injury. Neither did five others who started against the Bosnians: keeper Matt Freese, defenders Alex Freeman and Chris Richards and wing back Sergiño Dest.
“It doesn’t matter,” Ream said of the last meeting with Belgium. “This is a completely different game than in March.”
He’s right. It’s easily the Stars and Stripes’ biggest game of this World Cup so far.
Belgium is an aging team. Coach Rudi Garcia’s roster still boasts four players who featured when the Belgians topped the U.S., 2-1, in extra time in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, including keeper Thibaut Courtois and the two goalscorers that night in Salvador, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. But they’re still stacked. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku, in particular, gave the U.S. fits in Atlanta.
(Photo by BRUNO FAHY / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)
