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The focus may be on one player, but Monday’s Round of 16 clash will demand a collective effort from the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).

SEATTLE – During his pre-match press conference, Mauricio Pochettino admitted he hadn’t fully grasped the impact of FIFA’s decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension before the showdown with Belgium. The day, he said, had been a blur – packed with training sessions and meetings, leaving little time even for a meal.

“Travelling, shower, eating so quick,” Pochettino said. “I had half of a burrito, and I was taking the coffee in the car.”

Pochettino shared his perspective on the ruling that reshaped the team’s preparation for the knockout stage. He called it a just decision and a victory for football – a wrong corrected after the U.S. had already endured playing 30 minutes with ten men against Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to him, common sense prevailed when those in the boardroom overturned a decision made in the replay booth, allowing a deserving player to compete.

“For me, it’s not something to debate,” he said. “It’s about congratulating that decision. It’s fantastic, not only for us because we have another player available, but for football in general. It opens the door to correct bad calls.”

He continued, “I think it’s fair not to punish us further. It was enough. Now we focus on the game, because talking about things that don’t help football is pointless. We need to stay focused and challenge a very strong Belgian side. It will be tough, but now it’s a fair condition for us.”

As Pochettino pointed out, the match awaits. Balogun will take part, but many others will have to step up as well. With that in mind, here are five key factors for the USMNT’s clash with Belgium.

Balogun’s inclusion

The announcement reverberated across the sports world: Balogun is cleared to play against Belgium. The decision transforms the tactical landscape of the match.

Balogun brings a different profile compared to his potential replacements. Throughout the summer, he has displayed confidence, pace, and clinical finishing. Beyond his goal threat, he’s also central to the USMNT’s pressing game and attacking structure.

“Balo is always available,” Christian Pulisic said. “Whenever I have the ball, he’s making runs. He’s strong, quick, and does so many things right.”

That’s the tactical side. Mentally, the squad will also be lifted by his return, and the Seattle crowd will erupt when his name is called. Belgium, meanwhile, will have to adjust their pre-game strategy – emotionally and tactically. Do they see it as an injustice, FIFA bias, or simply another challenge to overcome?

Leading up to the fixture, Balogun’s absence dominated conversation. Now, his inclusion is the story – one that reshapes the USMNT’s outlook after a week of assuming he’d miss out.

“If you behave well, maybe you’ll be rewarded,” Pochettino said. “I’m thrilled that he handled it that way. After a game, when you feel a decision was unfair, it’s easy to lose control. But he managed it with great composure.”

Pulisic’s influence

When fit, Christian Pulisic has been effective. He registered an assist against Paraguay before an injury forced him off. He looked sharp against Turkiye and came close to scoring against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even before the tournament, he was lively, scoring and assisting against Senegal.

And yet, a World Cup goal still eludes him. If ever there was a time, it’s now – as big players rise to big occasions.

To his credit, Pulisic isn’t the lone star in this USMNT side. One major lesson from this campaign is that the team no longer depends solely on him. He can contribute as part of a balanced, talented unit rather than carrying the burden himself.

Still, Pulisic is overdue a defining World Cup moment. His best chance came in 2022, when his goal against Iran was followed by an injury that ended his match.

“Sometimes things just happen that way,” he told GOAL in 2024. “I wouldn’t change it. I hope to have many more big moments. It’s not about one iconic celebration; it’s about winning tournaments. That’s what people remember.”

Monday could be his moment – a chance to cement his legacy in the competition he has long prepared for.

Containing Doku and company

At this World Cup, the USMNT have looked strong on the wings. But Belgium pose a unique challenge there, particularly with Jeremy Doku – one of the most unpredictable and explosive wingers in world football.

Doku gave the USMNT trouble in their March friendly, often exploiting spaces behind Tim Weah, who isn’t naturally a defensive player. Capable on either flank, Doku remains a constant threat. The question is: how will the USMNT respond?

Part of the answer lies in attacking intent. The U.S. wide players can cause issues of their own, forcing Belgium on the back foot.

“I expect the game to be fought through the middle and the flanks,” Sergiño Dest said. “We defend together, and we’ll make it difficult for their wingers to get behind us. Let’s see how much space they allow us to exploit.”

“It’s tough to predict, but I hope it will be an exciting match from both sides.”

Winning the battle on the wings could decide the contest. “They’re definitely world-class,” Chris Richards said about Doku and Kevin De Bruyne. “We’ll need to stay locked in for 90-plus minutes. Against top European sides, mistakes get punished. We have to play clean for the full match.”

Lessons from the past

When asked about the 2014 World Cup meeting between the USMNT and Belgium, Dest admitted he remembers little – understandable, given he was a teenager then. “That was a long time ago,” he said. “The real revenge is for what happened in March, not 2014.”

That March encounter saw the USMNT take a 1-0 lead through Weston McKennie before Belgium equalised just before halftime and went on to win 5-2. Context matters: three U.S. defenders played out of position in midfield, and several key players from that match didn’t make the World Cup squad.

Much has changed since. Pochettino believes his team has grown – enough to challenge one of the world’s elite sides.

“I have full respect for Belgium,” he said. “They have incredible players and experience. They’re one of the contenders for this World Cup. I thought that in March, I thought it before the tournament, and I still think so now.

“It’s going to be a fantastic challenge. Our goal is to show how much we’ve improved since that game.”

‘Legacy isn’t decided by one result’

Most of Pochettino’s remarks focused on FIFA’s decision, but the magnitude of this moment for the USMNT remains undeniable.

Playing in Seattle – one of the loudest football cities in America – adds further emotion to this World Cup Round of 16 fixture. The atmosphere will be electric, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Balogun news may dominate pre-match talk, but once the whistle blows, the test will be about composure, execution, and resilience. This match could shape the team’s legacy.

“If we lift the trophy, we won’t just remember that moment,” Pochettino said. “We’ll remember the journey, the memories we created together. That’s why legacy doesn’t depend on one result, whether we win tomorrow or not.”

For the USMNT, the journey continues. The next step will demand heart, discipline, and perhaps a bit of magic. It’s a defining night for both the United States and Belgium – one that could determine who continues to write history this summer.