USMNT out 4–1, Pochettino future uncertain after World Cup exit

Belgium 4–1, your tournament is over

The dream ended Monday night. Belgium dismantled the USMNT 4–1 in the round of 16, and a home World Cup that felt like a turning point is suddenly just a memory (3). You went behind early and never recovered. The golden generation's best chance on home soil slipped away in brutal fashion.

Pochettino talks ongoing, but nothing is certain

U.S. Soccer and Mauricio Pochettino are "continuing conversations" about keeping him as head coach, but no decision has been made in the immediate aftermath of the exit (4) (5). Pochettino had this team playing its best football ever, Klopp called it the best USMNT in history, and losing him would deepen the loss. His contract situation was always going to come into focus after the tournament, and here it is.

Pulisic: a World Cup of glimpses and nothing more

Christian Pulisic arrived at this tournament as the face of American soccer, featured in TV promos and billboards across the country. He leaves with the same disappointment as everyone else. He showed little glimpses of what he can do, but never the decisive moment this team needed from him (6). A tournament of stardom off the pitch, heartbreak on it.

The opportunity America wasted

This was the biggest chance American soccer has ever had. Home soil, a golden generation in their prime years, and a coach who had them playing without fear. "The players on that 1950 team that beat England … this result is about the foundation that they laid," said Jack Edwards (2). The 2002 quarterfinal run remains the benchmark. This was supposed to surpass it. It did not.

Looking toward 2030

It is too soon. But the roster will look different by the time the next World Cup arrives. CBS has already projected a 26-man squad for 2030, and the turnover from this group will be significant (1). Some of these players will get another shot. Many will not.