SEATTLE — FIFA’s decision to reinstate Folarin Balogun on Sunday seemed to overshadow the upcoming match on Monday. During this game, there will be 21 players on the field, excluding the American striker, unless there’s another red card.
This match is crucial for the U.S. national team, perhaps the most significant since their quarterfinal loss to Germany in 2002. Not only is there a chance to return to that prestigious stage, but it’s also set on home soil, during prime-time, against a top-tier opponent that they might actually defeat.
Viewership is expected to break records, and if the U.S. manages to win, it could significantly shift how soccer is perceived in America.
The focus is now on the upcoming clash between the U.S. and Belgium.
When the U.S. has the ball
Aside from Turkey — where coach Mauricio Pochettino had to completely revamp his lineup — this match against Belgium marks the first time the U.S. faces an opponent that won’t just sit back defensively.
This will change the game’s dynamics significantly. Pochettino may prefer a similar strategy, but the effectiveness of that strategy against Belgium could differ greatly from past opponents like Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Considering Belgium’s fast attack, can Pochettino afford to push many players forward? And will the U.S. maintain possession effectively against a team that has averaged slightly more possession (57.6%) than them (57.1%) during the tournament, as per FotMob?
The U.S. needs to be swift and decisive. Losing possession during build-ups could lead to issues, especially against a team that counters quickly.
Yet, Belgium’s defense has shown weaknesses as well. They rank low in expected goals conceded, suggesting Pochettino’s squad could take advantage even with less possession.
When Belgium has the ball
Pochettino is particularly focused on how to handle Jeremy Doku, the Belgian winger who posed significant challenges to the U.S. in a previous match. Interestingly, the Americans’ tactical setup during that 5-2 loss bears little resemblance to their strategy for this game.
Avoiding one-on-one situations against Doku will be crucial, as he can create opportunities like few others. Much like American player Christian Pulisic, Doku excels in beating defenders one-on-one.
Belgium relies heavily on him to control the wing, allowing their full-backs to push up and create space for their forwards, like Romelu Lukaku and Charles de Ketelaere, who are key in capitalizing on crosses. Belgium has a high shot count and leads the tournament in total attempts.
However, the Red Devils hit their stride against Senegal after losing Doku and Kevin De Bruyne to red cards, showcasing their speed. This gives coach Rudi Garcia a selection dilemma, as excluding either player is no trivial matter.
Something intangible
Balogun’s return adds an intriguing factor to the game. The U.S. seemed ecstatic during training, while Belgium had prepared under the assumption they’d face an entirely different lineup. The crowd’s support for Balogun and the team may influence the match positively for the Americans.
Prediction
2-1 USA in overtime.
