Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast: Inside the USMNT’s World Cup exit with Mike DeCourcy

The 2026 FIFA World Cup dream has come to an end for the U.S. Men’s National Team on home soil.

In this episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Managing Editor John Krysinsky is joined by regular contributor Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News to dissect the USMNT’s disappointing 4-1 defeat to ninth-ranked Belgium in the Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium.

While Malik Tillman provided a brief moment of magic with his second direct free-kick goal in as many games to equalize in the 31st minute, the team ultimately hit its ceiling against elite European opposition.

John and Mike break down the tactical missteps, individual player evaluations, and the critical lapses—including defensive hesitation and a costly goalkeeping blunder—that allowed Belgium to comfortably exploit the American backline.

They also look at the big picture of Mauricio Pochettino’s tournament run, compare the timid performance to earlier positive outings, and deliberate on what this exit reveals about the true depth and current standing of the U.S. program on the world stage.

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