Ranked in the top 10 from the 2026 USMNT World Cup

I The World Cup may not have ended how United States I would like to, cexit in the round of 16 to In Belgiumbut that doesn’t mean there weren’t many unforgettable moments from start to finish, good and bad. From the playing of heroes by players for fan support to help drive the team, it’s been a run that has seen some of the best soccer the USMNT has ever played on the world stage, so let’s take a look back at some of the top moments from the USMNT’s run.

10. The USMNT matches its World Cup clean sheet record

One thing that is easy to forget is that by keeping a clean sheet against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Matt Freese and the defense also reached a milestone, keeping their second clean sheet at the World Cup. It was a team effort with the press and the pressure from the attack keeping the opposition off balance, the defenders coming up with big fights and clearances at key moments. Although the defense wasn’t the best against Belgium, that doesn’t change the success they’ve had up to that point, compared to their two-sheet record.

9. Two minutes against Belgium before it all collapses

In the second game against Belgium, it looked like the United States would get back into the game after Malik Tillman scored his second free kick of the World Cup. It was a very good effort to get it high enough, although it took a bounce before being hit Thibaut Courtoisand for two minutes, it was believed that the USMNT would get back into the game and push for an eventual winner. We all know what happened next, but that moment was glorious.

8. Mauricio Pochettino becomes USMNT’s winningest WC manager

I’m coming to the World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino he said that he and the team should be judged by the way they played in this tournament, and since you are throwing yourself forward, even though you may not have reached a result that anyone liked, the journey is fun. No USMNT manager has won more World Cup games than Pochettino’s three wins in one tournament. Of course, he had an extra game to do that, against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the new round of 32, but the fact that he was able to lead the team to this victory is something to celebrate and give hope for the future. There were times when the USMNT looked stronger in the World Cup than the teams that beat the competition, and that is a new frontier for a team looking to rise to the next level in the world game.

7. Alex Freeman scores, announcing himself to the world

For 21-year-old Alex Freeman, the World Cup is full of moments of rest. His ability at right back and ability to slide into central defense allowed Pochettino to push Sergino Dest into attack, creating a strong base. Only Weston McKennie logged more minutes during the USMNT’s World Cup, and Freeman will be in position to build on that in a full season for Villarreal. But his moment came against Australia.

It may have taken a delay as Freeman’s first-half goal was ruled offside, but Freeman put the game out of reach, and the entire USMNT bench began to cheer after the VAR review. The goal itself was a good short corner that Australia failed to take and Freeman put it into the net, but it was also the one that showed him as a footballer to make sure he blew the whistle, which made the difference in that game.

6. Balogun’s brace vs. Paraguay

When Folarin Balogun chose to represent the United States, it was a moment that led to great expectations for the Monaco man, and he reached them and then some. Scoring three goals during the World Cup, he was the USMNT’s top scorer at the tournament, and set the tone for their run with two goals. Paraguay. Scoring two goals in the first half of the game, Balogun showed why he is a complete striker who can contribute in the waiting game while creating chances for himself. He is someone who will be criticizing what the USMNT is doing moving forward, and while it is unfortunate that his World Cup ended with him being the center of attention for negative reasons, he has handled every step of the way with class, which only reflects his character.

5. Matt Freese, Tim Ream let the comeback slip

For most of the loss to Belgium, it was the USMNT’s inability to withstand the Belgian attack that caused problems, but the Red Devils’ third goal put the game out of reach, and it was a combination of mistakes that led to Hans Vanaken goals. Tim Ream and Chris Richards were both fouled, and when Matt Freese came out of the net trying to block the ball, it was taken off his feet, leaving all hope for the USMNT as well.

4. To raise the group

For the first time, the United States has topped the World Cup standings with a game to go. It is very different from 2022 when they had to leave everything on the field before running out of steam in the round of 16. They also did so without Christian Pulisic, who played just 45 minutes during the first two group stage games, with Pochettino throwing people around by starting two strikers. Those are the kinds of adjustments the team has historically faced, and it was good to see them go through that.

3. Tillman’s bloody sock game

After the USMNT went down to 10 men against Bosnia and Herzegovina, there were concerns about whether they could maintain their slim lead in the game. But they did so after the team came in and Malik Tillman had a moment to announce himself, hitting a free kick to double the lead and provide a much-needed insurance goal. After the game it was seen how much he left on the field when his sock was full of blood due to running and the challenges he faced on the field. Move over, Curt Schilling, there’s a new sock in town.

2. ‘County Roads’

A hymn that turned one of the songs of the tournament“Take Me Home, Roads of the World” became the anthem of the USMNT during the World Cup. Along with the team and Pochettino, the fans belting out John Denver’s classic in Seattle when the USMNT won the team is one of the top memories of my time following this team. The unity and spirit displayed at that time was nothing short of American football.

1. Balogun’s red card and all that followed

In an almost unprecedented situation at the World Cup, Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina which it rolled over before the Belgium gamedrawing the ire of not only the Royal Belgian FA but the wider football community as a whole. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has asked FIFA to overturn the red card, and while FIFA boss Gianni Infantino will say he had no influence on the decision, that does not change the fact that it creates bad optics for Balogun and the USMNT before facing Belgium.

The card put the team in a losing position because even if they won, the game would get a star because of his participation, and although the team says it did not affect them, so much attention on Balgoun had to cause disruption in the game and motivation from Belgium.

This shouldn’t be the top story of a World Cup where there was so much good for the USMNT, but when a situation of this magnitude happens, it’s impossible not to be. The Belgian FA said that despite the win, they are not done pursuing the matter, so it will be interesting to see if anything else comes of it.