The U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium

The U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium July 6, 20269:58 PM ET Becky Sullivan Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 match against the United States on Monday in Seattle. Alex Grimm/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Grimm/Getty Images SEATTLE — This time was supposed to be different. The U.S. men's national team came into this FIFA World Cup with a lineup full of players with key roles in Europe's top leagues. They had the name-brand coach — Mauricio Pochettino, of Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea fame. And they had homefield advantage, with every game on U.S. soil for the first time in three decades. Soccer Edition The U.S. faces Belgium in the World Cup on the heels of Trump-Infantino red card call For weeks, the hype seemed like it might be real: The team's three wins over Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia-Herzegovina were the most ever by a U.S. men's squad in a World Cup. A new generation of American fans filled stadiums by the tens of thousands and tuned in on TV by the tens of millions. But in the end, the Americans' exit was the same as it ever was: Eliminated yet again in the Round of 16 at the hands of a European team — this time, Belgium, by a score of 4-1. Sponsor Message From the moment they stepped onto the Seattle field, the U.S. was outclassed by their opponent, No. 9-ranked Belgium. Countless turnovers and defensive lapses were seized on by the Belgians, who needed only nine minutes to take a 1-0 lead. Soccer Edition This World Cup marks end of era for Ronaldo and other soccer greats Then, once the Americans equalized on a free kick by midfielder Malik Tillman, Belgium scored yet again in barely a minute of play. Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere scored both his team's first-half goals. After halftime, came an embarrassing nail in the coffin that silenced the Seattle sellout crowd for good — a 57th minute roll-in by Hans Vanake...