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The United States Men's National Team punched its ticket to the World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1.
It's the United States' first World Cup knockout win since 2002.
But the victory didn’t come easily. Team USA struggled to score until the end of the first half, and had two goals denied for offsides penalties. More notably, striker Folarin Balogun, arguably Team USA’s best player thus far, was issued a red card midway through the second half.
The controversial call forced the U.S. to grind out the win while playing with 10 men for 35 minutes. Balogun will now be suspended for the Americans’ next match — a clash with Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6.
Here’s everything you need to know about Team USA before that game:
No, the U.S. cannot appeal Balogun’s red card, per FIFA’s regulations. He must sit out the entire match against Belgium in addition to the time he missed in Wednesday’s game. The U.S. will be back to playing with 11 men, but it must find a replacement for Balogun.Many, including U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino, didn’t feel like Balogun deserved a red card due to it being incidental contact. A slow-motion replay showed Balogun going for the ball and stepping on the back of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic's foot.
Some also argued that the referees used VAR incorrectly after looking at the slow-motion shots, which “isn’t aligned with VAR protocols,” per referee advisor Andy Davies.“For me, never is it a red card,” Pochettino told reporters after the match. “Never was there intention to step on the player.“If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are fighting for the ball and your feet land.”
If the U.S. beats Belgium and advances to the quarterfinals, it would play one of four teams — Spain, Austria, Portugal or Croatia. Spain plays Austria and Portugal battles Croatia on Thursday, July 2 for a spot in the Round of 16. The U.S. would then face the winner of that game — most likely Spain, the pre-tournament title favorite.
In the semifinals, Team USA would play one of Canada, Morocco, Paraguay and France, all of which have advanced to the Round of 16. Its most likely opponent would be France, which has made two straight World Cup finals and has looked unstoppable in all of its matches this year.
In the unlikely scenario where the U.S. makes it to the World Cup Final, it could face a number of teams from the bottom half of the bracket. The most likely would be Brazil, England and Argentina, the reigning champions. All of these squads would be a handful for the Americans.
The early odds for the United States' matchup with Belgium on Monday are pretty close.
At BetMGM, the three-way moneyline through 90 minutes and stoppage time sits at: USA +160/Belgium +160/Draw +230. DraftKings has it at: USA +150/Belgium +180/Draw +250.
For which team advances to the quarterfinals, the odds are slightly in Belgium’s favor on BetMGM: -115 to the U.S.’ -110. On DraftKings, the U.S. is at -130, while Belgium is at +105.
The United States' best-ever finish at the World Cup was in the inaugural tournament in 1930, when it reached the semifinals. However, that field included just 13 teams as opposed to the standard 32, and the 48 in this year’s edition.
In recent history, Team USA’s best run was a quarterfinals appearance in 2002. It finished second in its group and defeated Mexico, 2-0, in the Round of 16, then lost to Germany to end its run.
A U.S. win over Belgium on Monday would tie it with that squad for its best finish since 1930. The Americans have exited in the Round of 16 in 1994, 2010, 2014 and 2022.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: What to know about USMNT after win, Balogun red card and Belgium next
Continue reading...
It's the United States' first World Cup knockout win since 2002.
But the victory didn’t come easily. Team USA struggled to score until the end of the first half, and had two goals denied for offsides penalties. More notably, striker Folarin Balogun, arguably Team USA’s best player thus far, was issued a red card midway through the second half.
The controversial call forced the U.S. to grind out the win while playing with 10 men for 35 minutes. Balogun will now be suspended for the Americans’ next match — a clash with Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6.
Here’s everything you need to know about Team USA before that game:
Can USMNT appeal Folarin Balogun’s red card?
No, the U.S. cannot appeal Balogun’s red card, per FIFA’s regulations. He must sit out the entire match against Belgium in addition to the time he missed in Wednesday’s game. The U.S. will be back to playing with 11 men, but it must find a replacement for Balogun.Many, including U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino, didn’t feel like Balogun deserved a red card due to it being incidental contact. A slow-motion replay showed Balogun going for the ball and stepping on the back of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic's foot.
Some also argued that the referees used VAR incorrectly after looking at the slow-motion shots, which “isn’t aligned with VAR protocols,” per referee advisor Andy Davies.“For me, never is it a red card,” Pochettino told reporters after the match. “Never was there intention to step on the player.“If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are fighting for the ball and your feet land.”
World Cup bracket: Who could USMNT play in future rounds?
If the U.S. beats Belgium and advances to the quarterfinals, it would play one of four teams — Spain, Austria, Portugal or Croatia. Spain plays Austria and Portugal battles Croatia on Thursday, July 2 for a spot in the Round of 16. The U.S. would then face the winner of that game — most likely Spain, the pre-tournament title favorite.
In the semifinals, Team USA would play one of Canada, Morocco, Paraguay and France, all of which have advanced to the Round of 16. Its most likely opponent would be France, which has made two straight World Cup finals and has looked unstoppable in all of its matches this year.
In the unlikely scenario where the U.S. makes it to the World Cup Final, it could face a number of teams from the bottom half of the bracket. The most likely would be Brazil, England and Argentina, the reigning champions. All of these squads would be a handful for the Americans.
Who’s favored in USA vs. Belgium? Latest betting odds
The early odds for the United States' matchup with Belgium on Monday are pretty close.
At BetMGM, the three-way moneyline through 90 minutes and stoppage time sits at: USA +160/Belgium +160/Draw +230. DraftKings has it at: USA +150/Belgium +180/Draw +250.
For which team advances to the quarterfinals, the odds are slightly in Belgium’s favor on BetMGM: -115 to the U.S.’ -110. On DraftKings, the U.S. is at -130, while Belgium is at +105.
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What’s the furthest USMNT has advanced in World Cup?
The United States' best-ever finish at the World Cup was in the inaugural tournament in 1930, when it reached the semifinals. However, that field included just 13 teams as opposed to the standard 32, and the 48 in this year’s edition.
In recent history, Team USA’s best run was a quarterfinals appearance in 2002. It finished second in its group and defeated Mexico, 2-0, in the Round of 16, then lost to Germany to end its run.
A U.S. win over Belgium on Monday would tie it with that squad for its best finish since 1930. The Americans have exited in the Round of 16 in 1994, 2010, 2014 and 2022.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: What to know about USMNT after win, Balogun red card and Belgium next
Continue reading...
