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Morning everyone,
I can’t believe there are only 4 games left 😥. At least MLS starts back up on Thursday. A lighter edition today as Mason and I take a breather from this whirlwind of a month.
🌎️ World Cup Quarterfinals Recap
🇺🇸 A Look into the Future
⚽️ Goal of the Week
😂 Tweets of the Week
Quarterfinal Recap
And then there were four. The top four teams in FIFA’s ranking and the four favorites coming into the tournament are what's left. 48 teams, 104 games, only to get the four favorites. That’s how it goes sometimes. Here’s how the quarterfinals shook out.
France 2 - 0 Morocco
France proved to be too much once again for Morocco, bouncing the African nation from the World Cup for a second straight tournament. Of course, it was Kylian Mbappe who scored a tremendous goal (see below). Then Ousmane Dembele added a second one to put the game away.
Morocco’s 34 game unbeaten streak came to an end but after two straight deep runs they’ve proven they’ll be one of the World’s elites for years to come.
Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
La Roja conceded their first goal of the tournament, 649 minutes into it, a Charles De Ketelaere header. But super sub Mikel Merino’s late winner was the difference. Belgium’s fate seemed determined when Thibaut Courtois was replaced due to an injury. Manchester United’s normally reliable Senne Lemmens botched the rebound that allowed Merino to score. Spain registered 17 shots to Belgium’s 5, including 8 on target to their 2. Spain are on a 36-game unbeaten run. They’ll face France on Tuesday at 3 pm ET.
England 2 - 1 Norway
Andreas Schjelderup scored a wonderful goal that may have been intended to be a cross but ended up being one of the goals of the tournament. Jude Bellingham found an equalizer right before half with a nice solo goal. Then he scored the winner in stoppage time to become the 5th player in history to score back-to-back braces in World Cup knockout games. He’s been fantastic all tournament and is England's most indispensable player. No player in English history has scored more open play goals in a single World Cup than him (6). The scenes at the end of the game, of the crowd singing “Hey Jude” are phenomenal. It’s amazing there were some England fans who thought he should’ve have even made the team.
Norway’s valiant run came to an end. They were one of the best stories of this World Cup. A small country of just 5M people led by one of the best players in the World, captivated us all. Norway fans will row back to their country proud of what this team accomplished.
Argentina 3 - 1 Switzerland
Argentina always finds a way. The reigning champions won their third straight game in dramatic fashion, with this one going to extra time. Julian Alvarez scored an absolute worldie (scroll down) for one of the best goals of the tournament to put Argentina ahead in the 112th minute. There was no shortage of controversy in this one. Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was given a second yellow for simulation after VAR reviewed a clear flop. Messi assisted the first goal off a corner, but watch this flick pass he had 😍. Argentina became the first team to ever reach the semifinal without facing a single top 15 ranked opponent. They’ll face England on Wednesday at 3 pm ET.
A Look Into The Future
The rarity of the World Cup is part of what makes it so special. We have to wait another four years to experience the hope and adrenaline we did over the last month. It’s also plenty of time for so much to change with the USMNT player pool. So let’s look forward.
Our current core are still young enough to be in their primes or just outside of it in 2030. The 10 players from this World Cup squad that I expect to be there again in 2030 are Pulisic (31, age in 2030), Adams (31), Richards (30), McKennie (31), Balogun (28), Tillman (28), Freeman (25), Robinson (32), Dest (29), Pepi (27). Of course, this is no guarantee. Four years ago Yunus Musah would’ve been on this list, but a failure to continue his development left him off the 2026 squad. It’s very likely a couple of these players won’t be a part of the next World Cup.
So let’s look at some young players to keep your eyes on over the coming years. Many MLS fans are familiar with some of these young studs. I expect at least a few of them to be playing major roles with the USMNT over the next decade.
Mathis Albert - The Borussia Dortmund winger will be 21 in 2030 and recently became the youngest American to ever debut in the Bundesliga. He has elite pace and 1v1 ability (see below) that the USMNT desperately needs.
Cavan Sullivan - One of the most promising US prospects ever. He’ll be 20 in 2030 and will have had two years under Manchester City’s guidance by then. He’s now getting consistent first team minutes with the Union.
Adri Mehmeti - This is our Tyler Adams replacement in the future. He’ll be 21 in 2030 and possesses rare technical ability, passing skills, and intelligence.
Julian Hall - Another NY Red Bulls product who will be 22 in 2030. He leads the team in goals and was just selected to the MLS All-Star game. His finishing instincts and work ethic off the ball are superb.
Zavier Gozo - One of MLS’s brightest young stars this year will be 22 in 2030. A move to Europe is likely coming soon as he’s ready for it. He’s a fantastic attacking talent who is an elite dribbler and has an excellent non-dominant left foot.
Diego Kochen - The Barcelona product just went on loan to Danish club Lyngby Boldklub. Most view him as the future goalkeeper of the USMNT. He’ll be 23 in 2030 and possesses great footwork and shot-stopping reflexes.
Several of these players will play at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. And some will be apart of World Cup Qualifying which starts in September, 2027.
It will be a long four years till we get to watch our boys on the big stage again. A lot of change is coming between then. Keep an eye on these young talents while we wait.
Goal of the Week
Easily one of the goals of the tournament. This is why Barcelona want him so badly.
Tweets of the Week
These are hilarious
These guys returned home heroes.
LOL so true
Quick Hits
Enjoy these last few games!
Max & Mason
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