There have been a plethora of historic and memorable soccer matches in Seattle. The Seattle Sounders’ MLS Cup 2019 win. The Sounders’ Concacaf Champions Cup Final 2022 victory. And the United States defeating Australia 2-0 on June 19 in the first FIFA World Cup match ever at Seattle Stadium.
But none compares to one of the biggest games in United States Men’s National Team history when the U.S. host Belgium on Monday, July 6, in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.
The United States are fresh off a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, just their second-ever knockout round win and first since a heroic 2002 upset over Mexico in South Korea. Belgium, meanwhile, were seemingly down and out, trailing Senegal 2-0 in the 86th minute before two goals in three minutes pulled them level and a penalty in the fifth minute of the second period of extra time saw the Red Devils miraculously advance.
There has never been so much at stake as there is on Monday, and Seattle is ready for it.
Traditionally one of the loudest and most hostile environments in both soccer and the NFL for the Seahawks, Seattle’s 12th man is facing its biggest opponent yet. Belgium enter Monday’s clash riddled with talent with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibault Courtois, players who have played at the world’s biggest clubs and won nearly everything there is to win. This will be Belgium’s third match in Seattle, including their opening game draw with Egypt and dramatic win over Senegal, after choosing to make the Puget Sound their home base for this North American-based tournament.
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This is the Red Devils’ final hurrah of their Golden Generation, and in their way stands not a pesky upstart United States of tournaments past, but a U.S. team brimming with confidence and playing some of its best football in recent memory under Manager Mauricio Pochettino. AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic looks every bit the playmaker that once starred for Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea. Weston McKennie is in the prime of his career on a loaded Juventus side. And even though forward Folarin Balogun will be suspended for Monday’s match, in his place is Ricardo Pepi, the former FC Dallas Homegrown who scored 16 goals last season for Dutch champions PSV.
While no player on this current roster was on the 2014 team that lost to Belgium in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in Brazil, they understand the history. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard set a World Cup record with 16 saves as a truly underdog United States team fell 2-1 to Belgium in extra time. Monday’s match offers a chance at redemption over a decade in the making.
There is no better setting in the country for a USMNT match of this magnitude than the friendly confines of Seattle Stadium, and no one knows that better than Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, who is on his second FIFA World Cup roster. The Pico Rivera, Calif., native has spent the last decade in Seattle, etching his name into the Sounders record books and understands what it means for the entire community to have this opportunity.
Eastside Rivalry Pass
Join the rivalry on July 16 and catch the Sounders vs Portland. The Eastside Rivalry Pass is the best way to travel from Redmond to attend the match. Each bundle includes a ticket and free transit the match. To make your trip easier, we’ve partnered with King County Metro and Experience Redmond to offer you free fare on Metro buses, Link light rail, or other transit services (while supplies last).
“I hope that the kids in Seattle when they see me or the National Team, they feel inspired to be the next Cristian Roldan or be the next Christian Pulisic,” Roldan said ahead of the U.S.’ match against Australia.
Now Roldan and this group of 26 inspired U.S. players come back to Seattle Stadium on Monday with an opportunity to not only equal their best FIFA World Cup finish by making the quarterfinals but avenge their World Cup loss to Belgium from 12 years ago. To do it in a place as passionate and soccer-crazed as Seattle makes it even better.
“Everybody is just coming together and enjoying soccer in our city, which has been beautiful,” said Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “It is such a good feeling just to walk around with people and enjoy good soccer.”
