Good morning fellow Americans,

What an incredible week of footy. This World Cup has been sensational. We’re having way too much fun and hope you all are too. Let’s unpack everything.

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Advance

• 🌎️ World Cup Updates

• 🇫🇷 Can anyone beat France?

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Tweets of the Week

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USMNT Advance

The USMNT beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the Round of 16. It’s the biggest win in program history and was the most-watched soccer match in English-language US history, peaking at 31.8M viewers. It was a spectacle.

As has been the case the entire tournament, Folarin Balogun was creating problems for the opponent from the get-go. He had a goal called back for offside, then finally found pay dirt just before half.

Things took a turn in the 64th minute when Balogun was given a red card after VAR reviewed his cleat to the ankle of an opponent. In my opinion, it’s absolutely not a red. Sure, it looks dangerous in slow motion, but there was no malicious intent whatsoever.

Once Balogun got the red, I was worried. Down a man for 30+ minutes and only up one goal is not a comfortable place to be in. US teams of old would’ve crumbled under these circumstances. But my worries were unwarranted. Not this team. Not this tournament. The team responded perfectly tactically and were resilient throughout the remaining part of the game.

8 of the 10 Bosnian shots came in the 34 minutes the US were down a man, but the US didn’t blink. We even kept attacking when the opportunity was right.

And soon came the goal that put the game away. Malik Tillman, who was stepped on so badly his toe was bleeding and he had to change his cleats, stepped up to take a free kick just outside the box. He curled in a beauty just over the wall to seal the game. It was glorious. 15 minutes later, the game was over.

The Bosnian’s were physical as expected. The team that led the group stage in fouls added 13 more against us. But it didn’t matter. Our guys fought back. Bosnia finished the game with just .25 expected goals and 7 touches in the attacking penalty box. They had no answers.

Within minutes of the game ending, John Denver’s Country Roads" started blaring on the loudspeakers, and all 68,827 sang in unison. I was in the stands with my friends belting along. A moment I’ll never forget. How can you not be romantic about soccer?

We’ll ride into Seattle without our star striker but with more confidence than I’ve ever had about this team. We’ll seek revenge on Belgium for their Round of 16 win over us in the 2014 World Cup.

Jobs not done.

World Cup Updates

The knockout stage has been nothing short of electric so far. All the stars are in peak form, the games are coming down to the wire, and we’ve even had several games go to PK’s.

Portugal beat Croatia 2-1, in what is Ronaldo and Modric’s last World Cup. Croatia took the lead in the 53rd, but Portugal came back, with a Ronaldo penalty kick, and a stoppage time winner from Goncalo Ramos.

Belgium and Senegal, wow, what a match. Belgium survived the round's craziest comeback, beating Senegal 3-2 in extra time after trailing 2-0 with 15 minutes left in regulation. Youri Tielemans scored a controversial 117th-minute penalty to send Belgium through.

Spain finally looks like the team everyone expected. They beat Austria 3-0 with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal, both assisted by Marc Cucurella. It’s Spain's first World Cup knockout win since their 2010 title run.

England is once again saved by a Harry Kane game-winner in the 85th minute. Kane had a brace, leading England to the next round against Mexico. They’ll face the hosts at the Estadio Azteca, a fortress that Mexico has only lost two competitive games at since 1966. This is going to be a spectacle on Sunday 🍿 

Paraguay defeated Germany in penalties (full PK highlights here). In terms of FIFA rankings, it’s the 4th biggest upset in the knockout rounds in World Cup history. The country erupted in celebration, and its president declared Tuesday a National Holiday. The Germans go home with an early exit for a third straight World Cup.

Norway beat Sweden 2-1. It's Norway's first time in the knockout stages since 1998. Haaland continues to score big goals, grabbing his 5th goal of the tournament.

Brazil survived a scare, beating Japan 2-1, with a 96th-minute winner from Gabriel Martinelli. Japan had some chances and looked like it had a real shot to advance until the late goal. Brazil looks less and less likely to be a favorite down the stretch.

Morocco and the Netherlands gave us an instant classic with the African side prevailing in penalties (full PK highlights here). Morocco drew level in the 91st minute to take the game to extra time. The Dutch were outplayed for large stretches of the game. They only had 17% of possession in the 30 minutes of extra time. Morocco completed 801 passes, becoming the second team after Spain to complete more than 800 passes in a match.

Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 for their first World Cup knockout win since 1986. Gilberto Mora (17) became the second youngest player to ever start a knockout match behind Pelé. And he was fantastic. Mexico oozed with confidence from the start and was feeding off of one of the best atmospheres in all of sports. You could feel it through the TV screen. Mexico’s 8 goals are tied for their most ever at a World Cup. They’ve also yet to concede a goal all tournament, becoming the 3rd team in history to win their first 4 games and not concede a single goal. Maybe Mexico was the real dark horse all along.

Can anyone beat France?

Watching this French team right now is similar to watching the Harlem Globetrotters. They’re scoring at will, and I’m not sure if anyone is good enough to stop them.

They comfortably beat Sweden 3-0 behind a brace from Mbappe. He’s tied Messi for the Golden Boot lead with 6 goals in the tournament. It’s his 18th goal in his 18th World Cup game, the second most ever behind Messi, and he’s done it in 11 fewer games. 9 of those are scored in the knockout stage, the most ever.

Ousmane Dembele’s assist to Mbappe marked their 6th goal combination at the tournament, the most in history for a duo.

Michael Olise has 5 assists this tournament, one shy of Pele's record for a single World Cup. And it’s not just the number, it's how he's getting them. A no-look through-ball nutmeg for Barcola. A bicycle kick attempt that clanked off the post. He was the best player on the pitch against Sweden and didn't even score.

Here are the stats for France’s forward line through the first 4 games:

• Mbappe - 6 goals, 2 assists

• Dembele - 4 goals, 2 assists

• Olise - 5 assists

• Barcola - 2 goals, 1 assist

It's an embarrassment of riches. Deschamps could bench any one of these four and still field a front line most nations would build a decade around.

While I'd prefer some new blood in the World Cup final, it would be a shock at this point if France isn't there for the third straight time. Up next is Paraguay in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Goal of the Week

Harry Kane Game Winning Blast

Tweet of the Week

Inject this into my veins.

This is hilarious 😆 

Quick Hits

• Real Salt Lake rejects bid from CF Monterrey for Diego Luna (Link)

• Austin FC trades Dani Pereira to CF Montreal (Link)

Let’s keep this train rolling. See you guys in Seattle 🇺🇸 

Max & Mason