Belgium players did the 'Trump dance" after beating the USA team 4-1.

[Prairie Gates]

8. US was truly high on its own supply re: USMNT

So many Americans bet on the USMNT to win last night that it moved the odds to even (a coin toss) or even a slight US favorite. That's completely absurd. Anybody with the slightest soccer knowledge cleaned up, as did the book.

The commentary by the Fox announcers before the game was similarly ludicrous. Zlatan couldn't help shaking his head at some of Alexi Lalas' proclamations. When Lalas declared once again that the US was greedy (he has been running a clownish "Greed is Good" trope throughout the Cup broadcasts) poor Thierry Henry truly looked like he was questioning his life decisions to appear on a stage with this moron. Dempsey dutifully stated that the US could win, but Dempsey grew up with real ones and couldn't quite pull off the lie: wry smile.

The US was lucky not to lose worse than they did. Belgium sat one of its stars (Kevin DeBruyne) for the entire game, mocking the US whining over Balogun's suspension. It sat Romalu Lukaku most of the game, though he came on to score the fourth goal against a defeated US squad. Both those decisions can be put down to age: De Bruyne and Lukaku are both later career and need the rest. That can't be said for superstar Jeremy Doku, who also sat the start the game, coming on in the 65th minute.

Even with those players sitting, Belgium easily outclassed the US team. Christian Pulisic - who the Fox crew said should have a strong game - was undressed by the Belgian midfielders, losing the dribble multiple times in the first 20 minutes. Balogun was nowhere, apart from a few second half chances, including a completely squandered moment when his Belgian defender missed the ball and fell, putting Balogun through on goal. He tamely played it directly into the Belgian goalkeeper. Tillman played well, but was kept in check wherever he drifted. Every US attempt to move in the final third seemed to be stymied by Youri Tielemans and Leandro Troussard, who seemed to be playing without expending too much effort. In the end, the US frustration started to show: nasty fouls by Robinson and a few by Tyler Adams (both of whom will pay for them in the Prem next year) drew little more than smiles from the Belgians, who knew they were dealing with a sad and beaten squad.

It was men against boys out there again for the USMNT.