Team USA Is 90 Minutes From Something It Hasn’t Done in Decades

The short-handed United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will attempt to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in more than two decades when it faces Belgium on Monday.

Team USA has not advanced beyond the Round of 16 at a World Cup since 2002. They are coming off their dominant 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which saw Folarin Balogun extend his lead in goals for the United States. However, he will not suit up for the red, white, and blue against Belgium.

Balogun picked up a controversial red card in the second half of the Round of 32 game after scoring a goal in the first 45 minutes. After Team USA was unable to appeal the red card, they will be forced to play without him in the upcoming game.

The USMNT will look past the controversial decision and will lean on players such as Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, and Weston McKennie.

Belgium, on the other hand, is coming off one of the craziest comebacks in the history of the World Cup. In their first knockout-stage game against Senegal, they were down 2-0 in the 85th minute. All-time leading goal scorer for the country, Romelu Lukaku, scored in the following minute, and was followed two minutes later by Youri Tielemans’ tying goal.

After advancing to extra time, Tielemans scored the latest goal in World Cup history, converting a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time after the 120 mark.

The USMNT will also be seeking a measure of revenge against the Belgians after they eliminated the United States from the 2014 World Cup with a 2-1 extra-time win. Despite the loss, legendary goalkeeper Tim Howard had a historic match, setting the record for most saves in a single game with 16. The two Belgian goal scorers from that match, Kevin De Bruyne and Lukaku, are both expected to face the United States again on Monday.

If Team USA advances, it will face Spain or the winner of Thursday’s Croatia-Portugal match in the quarterfinals.