The United States side will look to capitalize on its fans’ growing belief in their World Cup chances when it takes on Belgium for a place in the quarter-finals after the July 4 weekend, according to defender Sergino Dest.
The U.S. team is celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary in traditional fashion by watching fireworks with family and friends after a relaxing practice on Saturday morning.
Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun, who is suspended after a straight red in the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, threw a baseball around and coach Mauricio Pochettino wished reporters a happy holiday before the players went to work.
The team attended the Seattle Mariners baseball game on Friday evening and midfielder Cristian Roldan thrilled the crowd with a shout of “let’s win a World Cup,” reflecting the co-host’s increasing confidence.
Dest said they want to harness that energy in front of a packed crowd in Seattle on Monday for what he accepted could be the biggest game in American soccer history yet.
“Maybe right now,” he told reporters. “Hopefully we win this match and then we can play even more matches in this tournament. Because we have a great group at the moment.”
“We are playing really well and we are all so motivated and the country believes – everyone believes at the moment… the support is huge.”
However, Belgium are on a high after a remarkable comeback against Senegal and Dest said their opponent is dangerous despite a shaky start to the World Cup.
“They have been inconsistent this tournament, but we still know they have quality,” he said.
The American team hopes for lasting impact
Fellow defender Tim Ream said he hoped continuing their run could also increase the popularity of football in the US
«We’re not really thinking about that right now. We’re thinking about playing games and making appearances,» Ream said.
“But we are very aware of the impact we have across the country and the impact we have on generations of people and fans.”
Balogun’s suspension takes away the focal point of the side’s attack, but Ream said the US could take heart from the way it managed with 10 men against Bosnia.
“When teams can win different ways, when teams have to win different ways, it gives you a mental boost,” Ream said.
“Sometimes the game won’t be fun, it won’t be pretty, you won’t have everything go your way, but you will find ways to finish games,” he added.
Published on July 5, 2026
