Team USA faces Belgium in the knockout round of the World Cup today [TUESDAY]. If it wins, it’ll mark a long-awaited return to the quarterfinals of the competition since 2002. The wait’s been even longer for the Belgians; the last time they reached the quarterfinals was in 1986.
For Team USA to prevail, they need to focus on attacking the net, particularly against a team that has carved out a reputation in Europe as a young and wildly talented.
This isn’t the first time the US has faced Belgium. The two teams played in friendlies—or preparation matches—in September 2011 and May 2013, in which the US was outplayed both times. That said, Team USA has been playing exceptional football in this tournament and as all the upsets have shown, anything is possible in the World Cup.
Guest:
Mike Woitalla, executive editor, Soccer America Magazine. He is joining us from Rio de Janeiro, where he is covering the World Cup