The U.S. men's national team is gearing up for Monday night's World Cup round of 16 knockout game against Belgium with some great news: star forward Folarin Balogun is eligible to take the field after a dizzying few days of news.
FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced on Sunday, July 5, that it had made a match-altering decision by suspending Balogun's one-game suspension for his red card from the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision that has made Balogun available against the De Rode Duivels.
With that news and the U.S. team already on an epic run, excitement is at fever pitch for the Monday night showdown, set for 8 p.m. Here's where you can watch it in Washington County.
Where to watch Team USA play Belgium, compete in Round of 16
There will be a USA vs. Belgium watch party at the Hagerstown Field House on Monday night, Hunter Riley, the field house fitness director, said.
The field house plans to show future Team USA games if they continue to advance, Julie Redding, the field house general manager, said.
The field house has also considered hosting watch parties for other large televised sporting events in the future, such as the Super Bowl, Redding said previously.
While the previous Team USA watch parties have been projected on a large screen, there are adult league playoffs at the field house Monday night. As a result, the game against Belgium will be shown on every TV in the bar with volume playing throughout, Riley said.
If Team USA is eliminated, the field house will continue to broadcast all of the games in the cafe and bar area, but will not set up their large projector screen again until the final, Redding said.
Doors have previously opened approximately one or two hours before the Team USA games start. An adjacent field normally has yard games and activities such as cornhole and soccer with pop-up Pugg goals, Redding said previously. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and select beers are discounted. Attendees are recommended to bring chairs or blankets to sit on, according to Visit Hagerstown.
“We are a primarily sports-oriented facility, and bringing people together to watch such an important sporting event just seemed very logical to us,” Redding said previously.
2026 FIFA World Cup games have inspired a love for soccer in Hagerstown
The field house has shown the games of all teams so far, Redding said previously. The Team USA games have been the most popular, but the other games have not been significantly lower.
In the first USA game against Paraguay on June 12, there were approximately 50 to 75 people, Redding said previously. In the most recent USA game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, there were approximately 100 people, Riley said. Having a crowd of people gathered for the same purpose generates more energy.
“They said it’s been a great environment to watch the game in,” Redding said previously. “Everybody has been just really excited.”
They have had a mix of adults and families, according to field house staff. Anyone under 13 must be with a parent or guardian, according to Visit Hagerstown.
Some of the watch party attendees participate in activities such as the field house’s adult soccer leagues, Redding said previously. Most of the staff organizing the events are big soccer fans. Even if they aren’t, they “can’t help but just get excited.”
“There’s so many things that bring people together that they enjoy, whether it’s music or other sporting events,” Redding said previously. “People can convene and have a great time, share food and drink — and particularly in this instance, a love for soccer.”
Source: Herald-Mail Media
