The Americans are back in Seattle with a chance to go where no United States team has gone in more than two decades – and they will have their leading scorer Folarin Balogun.
Balogun was issued a red card in a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, earning him an automatic suspension against Belgium. However, FIFA ruled on Sunday, July 5, that Balogun won't have to sit out the round of 16 game, but will instead be on probation for a one-year period.
The USA reached the round of 16 by handling Bosnia and Herzegovina. Belgium needed a late comeback to get past Senegal. There is history in this matchup too, and not the good kind for the Americans.
The United States plays Belgium Monday, July 6 in the World Cup round of 16 with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle.
How to watch USA vs. Belgium
In the United States, the match airs on Fox in English and on Telemundo in Spanish. Streaming options include Fox One, Tubi and the Telemundo app.
Why this matchup carries extra weight
The last time these teams met in the knockout round, Belgium ended the American run. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku led Belgium past the USA in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, and Monday falls almost exactly 12 years later. The two also met in a friendly earlier this year that Belgium won 5-2. De Bruyne is still here, and so is the reason for American caution.
What's at stake?
A win puts the USA in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Both teams already know Lumen Field, where the USA beat Australia and Belgium tied with Egypt and stunned Senegal earlier in the tournament.
Source: USA Today
