Was The 2026 World Cup A Success For USA?

Another FIFA World Cup has passed, with another round of 16 exit from the United States men's national team, against a familiar opponent in Belgium, which knocked it out of the tournament at the same stage in 2014.

Although this time it wasn't an extra-time heartbreaker with a heroic — and historic — performance from an American goalkeeper; it was a 4-1 blowout on home turf at Dallas Stadium, with mistakes that will haunt fans and players alike until the next World Cup in 2030.

It wasn't all bad. The United States won its most matches at a single edition of the tournament. Folarin Balogon emerged as the team's star striker. And the country united around a team that forced them to believe. But Alexi Lalas believes the U.S. had even more to give.

"Anytime this happens, and I've been through this now a lot, the question is always, 'Well, was this a success?'," the U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer and FOX Sports analyst said postgame. "I think this team did bring people into the tentpole, and I think they should be incredibly proud for that.

"But there's also a part of me that says the time for moral victories is over. So, we've left something on the table here, and that to me is disappointing."

Belgium limited the U.S. to just seven total shots on Monday, which equaled the amount of shots on target Belgium had in the entire match. In total, Belgium had 15 shots, including 10 in the United States' box. 

"Congratulations have to go to this Belgium team, to come into this environment and put on a show like that," Lalas said. "From a U.S. perspective, they picked the worst time to play their worst game. I think Mauricio Pochettino and the players would admit that."

Lalas reiterated his exhaustion with moral victories, emphasizing that