America's Bitter Pill: The USA's Crushing Defeat to Belgium in the World Cup The United States' elimination from the FIFA World Cup at the hands of a resurgent Belgium side is a stark reminder that even the most seemingly inevitable paths can take an unexpected turn.
On paper, the Americans had everything going for them – home field advantage, a revitalized squad, and the weight of national expectation.
However, on the pitch, it was Belgium's clinical efficiency and ruthless finishing that proved too much to handle.