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The U.S. had a golden opportunity for a soccer breakthrough. Now it must wait four more years.
By Andrew Greif | NBC News at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 7 min read
The U.S. men’s soccer team entered the World Cup’s round of 16 looking as though it had an edge on the rest of the soccer world.
It ended Monday with another reminder it still is playing catch-up against the world’s elite teams.
For more than 24 hours before the U.S. kicked off against Belg...
Key takeaway men’s soccer team entered the World Cup’s round of 16 looking as though it had an edge on the rest of the soccer world.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The US men's soccer team's disappointing loss to Belgium in the World Cup's round of 16 will have a ripple effect on the local soccer community in Los Angeles . As the team's World Cup run comes to an end, fans in the city will have to wait another four years to see their team compete on the global stage. The loss is particularly disappointing given the team's promising start in the tournament, which had galvanized soccer enthusiasts across the city. The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's suspended ban and President Trump's involvement will also be debated among local soccer fans, who will be left to wonder what could have been if the team had been able to capitalize on its early momentum. With the World Cup behind them, local soccer fans will now turn their attention to supporting their local teams and players, and hoping that the US men's team can regroup and come back stronger in four years.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The U.S. men’s soccer team entered the World Cup’s round of 16 looking as though it had an edge on the rest of the soccer world.
It ended Monday with another reminder it still is playing catch-up against the world’s elite teams.
For more than 24 hours before the U.S. kicked off against Belg...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrew Greif | NBC News at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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