USMNT legend demands ‘statement’ from Mauricio Pochettino’s men ahead of Belgium World Cup clash
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side’s first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
USMNT legend and ex-goalkeeper Kasey Keller has urged the current hopefuls to make a ‘statement’ against Belgium during their World Cup last-16 encounter later this evening.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are hoping to become just the second US squad to make the World Cup quarter-finals in history, after they reached the same stage in 2002 before they were beaten by Germany.
Keller was part of that historic US World Cup squad 24 years ago, and when asked if this was USMNT’s biggest match ever, he was clear in his response.
USMNT vs Belgium preview
In an exclusive interview with Ozoon about the FIFA World Cup, Keller said: “We have to put a little asterisk on this tournament, with the expansion of 48 teams. The group stages are a little more diluted, you have to look now at all-time leading goal-scorers too, because we’re seeing numbers against teams that we haven’t seen in the past very often.
“I still think this is a really big game for the US because until they beat Bosnia, they hadn’t beaten a European team in five years. It had been 10 matches lost in a row and who is that team they beat five years ago, it was Bosnia.
“So you have to make some statements, if you’re going to change people’s minds. Like I said this isn’t the Belgium side of four, eight, 10 or 12 years ago – but it’s still a better statement. OK you’ve beaten a good European side to get to the next level. As of right now, you still have to do it but you beat the teams you should beat.”
Pochettino’s side head into the clash in Seattle in confident mood, having topped their group after victories against Paraguay and Australia, before they overcame Bosnia 2-0 in the round of 32.
They had to contend with 10 men for most of the second half after Folarin Balogun was shown a straight red, with the star striker expected to miss this crunch clash against Belgium.
However, the 25-year-old – who is US’ top scorer at the tournament – is now free to play after FIFA confirmed the automatic one-match ban had been suspended for one year, in a big boost to Pochettino and his squad.
