The USMNT is out of the World Cup — and we’re in our feels

The GIST: A promising USMNT lost 4–1 to Belgium on Monday, a disappointing finish for a team that captivated a nation. Despite hope surrounding the perennially underdog American men’s team, this run ended the same way their last three WCs did: in the Round of 16. Let’s sort through our feelings about it.

😭 Why does this one hurt so badly?: This was the USMNT “golden generation,” a group of guys largely in their mid-to-late twenties with experience playing in the world’s top leagues. And as the tourney began, they actually looked like it, winning their group with a game to spare.

• But the USMNT looked lost on Monday and intimidated by Belgium, a team that was very good, but not great. The confident Stars and Stripes went missing, replaced by a team that looked tentative on the world stage. Perhaps going from beloved underdogs to internationally detested villains changed some things.

⏩ Many questions remain unanswered: Head coach Mauricio Pochettino transformed the USMNT — will he return? Superstar Christian Pulisic will be 31 years old at the 2030 WC — did he squander his chance to cement his legacy among the American greats? Is four years enough time for the USMNT to figure out their goalkeeper situation?

• Amid the question marks, there is a sure thing: Thanks to the U.S. women’s national team’s equal pay fight, the USMNT’s WC earnings will be split equally among the two teams. Brazil 2027 can’t come soon enough.