U.S. wins, returning Monday in World Cup for Seattle’s biggest sports event ever
The biggest soccer match in the history of the United States is coming to Seattle.
The U.S. team beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Wednesday in the round of 16 in Santa Clara, California, to advance to the World Cup’s round of 16 Monday at Lumen Field.
It was the second-ever knockout-stage victory for the United States in the 96-year history of the World Cup, and first since 2002.
When it ended, a packed house inside Victory Hall and the Hatback Bar & Grill across the street from the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field chanted: “We’re going to Seattle!”
The Americans, who beat Australia in Seattle June 19 in the group stage in a wild scene many around U.S. Soccer called the best in its program’s history, will play Belgium Monday at 5 p.m. inside the home of the Seahawks and Sounders.
Belgium rallied from two goals down 85 minutes into their round-of-32 match earlier Wednesday in Seattle to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time. It was yet other sold-out, raucous World Cup match in the Pacific Northwest.
Monday at 1 p.m. for a spot on the World Cup quarterfinals, a place the United States has been only one other time, is going to be the biggest worldwide sporting event in Seattle history.
The U.S. played the last 30 minutes of their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina a man down. Dynamic scoring leader Folarin Balogun received a red card upon video-assisted replay review just after the 60-minute mark. That was for Balogun dragging his cleats down the back of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic‘s leg and onto his foot in the midfield.
It looked inadvertent. But the VAR review sent the Americans’ best creator and scorer off, anyway. Balogun, who scored the U.S.’ first goal Wednesday in the first half, couldn’t believe it when referee Raphael Claus showed him red and sent him off — not just for the final half hour Wednesday but for Monday and the U.S. chance for the round of 8.
That’s the one negative to the U.S. advancing to play for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals: Balogun will be suspended, not allowed to play in the match because of the red card.
He is the fifth U.S. men’s national team player to be disqualified by a red card in the World Cup. He’s the first since 2006.
This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 9:15 PM with the headline "U.S. wins, returning Monday in World Cup for Seattle’s biggest sports event ever."
