\n
SEATTLE (AP) \u2014 Belgium goaltender Thibaut Courtois reflected on the last time he faced the United States. world cup<\/span>Tim Howard comes to mind.<\/p>\nCourtois faced one of America’s greatest goalies and scored a goal. Made 16 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss to Belgium.<\/span> At the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Howard has long since retired, but Courtois, 34, will start again on Monday. USA plays Belgium<\/span> In the round of 16.<\/p>\nAmerican soccer has come a long way since that thrilling game more than a decade ago.<\/p>\n
“I think they can produce a lot of talent and become a global force,” Courtois said. “They’re already a great team and they’re playing well, so I think it’s a good evolution and they’ve shown that in this World Cup. Hopefully it ends (Monday) and we win, but we expect a tough game.”<\/p>\n
The World Cup excited soccer fans and piqued the interest of many Americans<\/span>even as the sport continues to strive to gain mainstream popularity in the United States. They have suffered setbacks since the match against Belgium 12 years ago. That includes a crushing defeat against Trinidad and Tobago in 2017. The United States failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.<\/span>.<\/p>\nThe team is led by Argentina national team coach Mauricio Pochettino. This summer I embraced the American experience.<\/span>America is one win away from advancing further than ever in the World Cup.<\/p>\nThe United States won three of four games in the tournament, which featured star players from European clubs. They also include forwards Christian Pulisic<\/span> Folarin Balogun eligible to play Monday’s game after President Donald Trump I called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the red card.<\/span>.<\/p>\nLike Belgian midfielder Courtois Axel Witsel<\/span> I believe that America has grown a lot since playing against the United States in 2014.<\/p>\n\u201cI think technically they are better,\u201d Witzel said. “The physicality and the intensity they bring during the game. And of course, the way they coach.”<\/p>\n
The Belgian side features four players from the 2014 World Cup squad, including Courtois and Witsel. kevin de bruyne<\/span> and Romelu Lukaku<\/span>was an integral part of the team’s third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup and remains an influential player.<\/p>\namerican defender alex freeman<\/span> Marvel at the longevity of the Red Devils, they showed resilience. They came back from a 2-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in the round of 32.<\/span>.<\/p>\n“They’ve always been a well-respected country and they’ve always done a great job at this moment in the World Cup,” Freeman said. “And I think the important thing for us is, ‘How can we still be relevant and impactful in moments like this?'”<\/p>\n
The U.S. team has gone winless in 13 consecutive World Cup games against European opponents, going 3-6-15 overall in such games, with heavy losses. Belgium won 5-2 in the World Cup warm-up match in March.<\/span>.<\/p>\nU.S. defender Chris Richards fondly remembers Howard’s performance against Belgium, even though it was a loss.<\/p>\n
“It was fun,” Richards said. “I think people were talking about that Belgian ‘golden generation’ and I think our players went toe-to-toe with them. At the end of the day it’s exciting to be able to recreate that and hopefully that result will come to our side.”<\/p>\n
A win for the U.S. on Monday could mark a turning point for U.S. soccer. When the U.S. lost to Belgium in Brazil, it gave future players like Freeman, then 9 years old, the belief that they could one day compete with the best on the international stage.<\/p>\n
Freeman wants to pay tribute to Howard, former U.S. teams and future U.S. players.<\/p>\n
“We want revenge, don’t we?” Freeman said. “Revenge from that time and revenge from three months ago when we lost to them. I think for us it’s about having the mindset that we have to win and knowing that we’re not just doing it for ourselves, we’re doing it for the country as well.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
This story has been corrected. A previous version incorrectly reported that Belgium had five players on their 2014 World Cup roster.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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