Waffles for Dinner
USMNT Burner Week Recap/Preview - 7/6/26 - Vol. 66
All is right when Malik is around!
USMNT vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Recap
For stretches of our Round of 32 matchup, the United States looked in complete control. For others, it looked like survival mode. But when the final whistle blew in Santa Clara, Mauricio Pochettino’s side had earned one of the program’s most memorable World Cup knockout victories, advancing despite playing the final half hour with 10 men.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time after sustained American pressure. Captain Tim Ream started the move with a composed touch before Tyler Adams flicked the ball into the path of Malik Tillman. Tillman’s perfectly weighted pass found Folarin Balogun, who battled through two Bosnian defenders before calmly finishing past Nikola Vasilj to give the United States a deserved 1-0 lead just before halftime. It was Balogun’s third goal of the tournament and another reminder of his clinical finishing.
Initially shown no card for a challenge, Balogun was sent off after a VAR review determined he had caught Tarik Muharemović with his studs. Suddenly, what had been a controlled American performance became a defensive test of character. Bosnia threw numbers forward, forcing the U.S. back into its own half while searching desperately for an equalizer.
Instead of folding, the Americans produced the defining moment of the night. In the 82nd minute, Sergiño Dest won a dangerous free kick just outside the penalty area. Malik Tillman stepped over the ball and delivered a moment worthy of the World Cup stage. His curling strike cleared the wall, clipped the fingertips of Vasilj, and nestled into the back of the net, igniting the home crowd and effectively ending Bosnia’s hopes. It was Tillman’s first World Cup goal and one of the finest free kicks of the tournament so far.
With a two-goal cushion, the U.S. defense slammed the door shut. Tim Ream marshaled the back line with veteran composure, Chris Richards won key duels in the box, Tyler Adams covered enormous ground in midfield, and Matt Freese recorded his second clean sheet of the tournament. Despite being a man down for nearly 30 minutes, Bosnia never found the breakthrough and headed back to Sarajevo to munch on cevapi.
Belgium Preview
Head to Head
Again, we meet a familiar foe. The fact that we have faced off against four of the five teams we have played in the World Cup within the last year is pretty wild. In the case of Belgium, it was just a mere 100 days ago that the USMNT fell to the Red Devils 2-5 in Atlanta. It was a gutting defeat that left many with doubts about Pochettino and the overall quality of the group. Despite a relatively positive first half, which saw the US go into the break at 1-1, the second half was incredibly poor. The US would go on to give us four goals in the second half and be well out of the game by the 60th minute. The second half was such an outlier for this team that you almost have to find a way to discount it. Through the first half, the US was dominant and was lucky to not find more than one goal. In the end, Weston McKennie and Patrick Agyemang were the goal scorers for the US on the night and it wasn’t enough to take care of the Belgians.
What to Expect from Belgium
If you were to ask almost anyone who has watched Belgium play over this World Cup, they would tell you that have not been moved. Now that Belgium’s true “Golden Generation” has either graduated from the national team or is at the tail end of their career, the team is much weaker than the Belgium we have come to know over the past 10 years. Belgium only even got to this spot because they were able to overcome a 0-2 deficit in the final five minutes of their Round of 32 match with Senegal. Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans were enough to send the game to extra time. It was the first time a team had ever come back from multiple goals down after the 85th minute in a World Cup game. In extra time, Belgium were fortunate to be awarded a very soft penalty in the dying moments of the second half of extra time. Tielemans stepped up and converted the spot kick to send them to the Round of 16. But, Belgium barely topped their group of Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. They only picked up one win, a 5-1 drubbing of New Zealand on the final match day to secure top spot. But a 1-1 draw with Egypt and a 0-0 draw with Iran did not spark confidence into anyone. Belgium will likely line up in their favored 4-2-3-1 formation with Charles De Ketelaere as the striker, Kevin De Bruyne sitting under him and Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard on either side. Captain Youri Tielemans will start as the eight and he will partnered with either Amadou Onana or Hans Vanaken. Maxim De Cuyper and Timothy Castagne will be the outside backs while Brandon Mechele and Arthur Theate will likely be the center back partners. Last but not least, Thibaut Courtois, even at 34 he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Belgium will push the ball through their wingers which we have seen as Trossard currently leads the World Cup in chances created. If Belgium needs a goal, they will turn to their all-time leading scorer in Romelu Lukaku off the bench.
Our USMNT
The biggest talking point around the USMNT is the loss of Folarin Balogun for this match. Balogun’s highly debatable red card in the last match cause international outrage but the US was unable to appeal the decision due to the call not falling within the appealable conditions. BUT! On Sunday morning news came out that Balogun’s suspension had been suspended by FIFA. FIFA utilized article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code which says, “FIFA’s judicial bodies have the authority to fully or partially suspend a disciplinary sanction…” FIFA undoubtably made the correct call in allowing Balogun to play after the red card that he, undeservedly, saw against Bosnia. But, its how we got here that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. On Thursday, the day after the Bosnia game, US President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to enquire about the red card and the punishment. (For a more detailed timeline of events, see Sophia Cai’s article in POLITICO)
- On *Thursday* Trump dialed Gianni Infantino and asked abt FIFA’s rules around the red card decision and grounds for suspension. (They’ve known each other for 8 yrs.)
- FIFA declined to confirm any specific discussions but reiterated to POLITICO that the decision to suspend the one-match ban was made by an independent disciplinary committee.
- As U.S. Soccer’s legal team formally prepared & submitted its appeal to FIFA, Giuliani + Lutnick offered to make White House attorneys available to assist
- At the same time, Giuliani and Scott Goodwin — a hedge-fund manager who had helped pay the salary of Mauricio Pochettino — zeroed in on the officiating history of referee Raphael Claus
-Articles examining previous controversies involving Claus circulated among senior gov officials as they evaluated every argument that could bolster the appeal
- On FIFA side, Emilio García, who oversees the legal affairs of FIFA, advised Infantino on the available procedural options
- García + other FIFA officials worked to determine whether the circumstances of Balogun’s tackle met the narrow standards that would allow the disciplinary decision to be revisited
- By Sunday, FIFA announced that Balogun’s one-match suspension would be suspended
- FIFA insists that the decision was an independent one made by its 18-person disciplinary committee, but it would not say whether the decision was decided through a vote, and it has not published a report on the decision.
This timeline shows, and as we write this we have confirmation, that Donald Trump called Infantino to look into the decision. Just because he called his little buddy at FIFA, Infantino, does not mean FIFA was not looking into the decision anyway, which it seems they were. Even worse now is that Trump is seemingly taking credit for the whole thing, a surprise to literally no one. Without getting into too much detail, it is a bad look. Not only for FIFA but for the country and it will stain US Soccer, the World Cup and the USMNT’s run at this World Cup, if it is uncovered that Trump influenced the decision more than just asking it to be looked at. However, early this morning, FIFA allowed Belgium to launch and appeal into the eligibility of Folarin Balogun on the basis that his straight red card is absolute and not eligible to be checked. At the time of writing, no decision has been made about Belgium’s appeal.
ANYWHO! As of now, Balogun is back and is more than likely going to start for the USMNT. Poch could do the funniest thing ever and still start Ricardo Pepi in an attempt to catch Belgium off guard. But we highly doubt that will happen. We should expect to see the same starting eleven that we saw against Bosnia. Balogun’s ability to run in behind will test Belgium’s center backs who have proven to have a tough time with fats players. Dest and Freeman will have their work cut out for them as they try to defend Jeremy Doku who presences has not been felt much at this World Cup but was excellent when we faced Belgium just a few months ago. We need to get Christian Pulisic more involved in this game. Pulisic will need to be the difference maker in this match. During the Belgium match in March, he was poor and was frustrated by the Belgian defenders. We can only hope for a different outcome now that he has picked up some form and is 100% healthy.
Game Details:
🆚 USMNT vs Belgium 🇧🇪
🏆 FIFA World Cup - Round of 16
⏰ Monday July 6, 8:00 pm EST
📺 FOX, Telemundo, Peacock
📍 Lumen Field - Seattle, Washington
Curtains Close on the Weekend and Done Deals
Not much is happening with all eyes on the World Cup!
Mateus Kolenda has left Kitzbuhel 🇦🇹 and signed for Riga Mariners 🇱🇻
Diego Kochen has officially joined Lyngby 🇩🇰 on loan from Barcelona 🇪🇸
Bryan Reynolds has officially joined Stade Rennais 🇫🇷 from Westerlo 🇧🇪
Patryk Stechnij has signed for Ekstraklasa side Wieczysta Krakow 🇵🇱
Devon Decorte has signed for FC Den Bosch 🇳🇱 from Anderlecht
Rumor Mill
Christian Pulisic is on Liverpool’s 🏴 radar to replace Mo Salah
Bundesliga newcomers SV Elversberg 🇩🇪 are exploring a deal to sign Cole Campbell (🗞️ Sky Sports Germany)
Borussia Dortmund 🇩🇪 has entered the race to sign forward Folarin Balogun (🗞️ BILD)
Bayer Leverkusen 🇩🇪 is interested in signing Sergiño Dest and could submit an offer between 20 and 25 million euros (🗞️ Marca)
Burner’s Star of the Week
⭐️: Malik Tillman
Malik Tillman picked the perfect time to remind everyone that he has ice in his veins. With the U.S. clinging to a one-goal lead and (unjustly) down to 10 men against Bosnia, Tillman decided the stress wasn’t good for anyone’s health. So he casually stepped up in the 82nd minute and ripped a freekick like he was trying to settle an argument on Maury, not send the USMNT to the Round of 16. Clutch doesn’t even begin to cover it. What’s been even more impressive is where he’s doing it. Playing as an advanced No. 8 instead of hugging the touchline or floating as a 10, Tillman has quietly become one of the tournament’s premier midfielders. He’s been one of the highest-rated performers of the entire World Cup, and against Bosnia he slammed the door shut when the U.S. needed someone to do it most. That’s what big-time players do. Completely unrelated, but this lends credence to letting players grow into their roles with the national team. Johnny Cardoso, your time is soon king. For now though, Malik, get on over to Raising Canes and get a box combo on us because you are our Raising Canes Player of the Week!
Red Lights, Stop Signs, I Still See Your Face in the White Cars
Eric Lichaj, and your 10 game stint at Fatih Karagümrük of the Turkish Super Lig, we will never forget you.