Lapalisse Overview

Does it have anything to do with the TMNT? Here's how the US soccer teams' abbreviations may have come along

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has defended United States striker Folarin Balogun following their World Cup round-of-16 encounter in Seattle. The pre-match build-up had been heavily dominated by FIFA’s highly controversial decision to suspend Balogun’s red-card ban, prompting widespread criticism before Belgium secured a 4-1 victory.

The USMNT had a chance to change perceptions on home soil, but a 4-1 loss to Belgium instead raised familiar questions about progress, pressure and missed opportunity.

Christian Pulisic went quiet, Mauricio Pochettino fell short and the USMNT’s dream run ended with a brutal reality check against Belgium.