The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium on July 7. The match featured a notable error by US goalkeeper Matt Freese, which allowed Belgium an easy goal.

Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, expressed strong disappointment with the USMNT’s performance. He described the team as "embarrassing" and criticized the level of athletes representing the country, stating, "We’re never gonna actually be good at this sport as long as our D tier athletes play it."

Portnoy also dismissed optimistic views about the future of American soccer, emphasizing the collective frustration felt by fans: "I think we’re all Dave Portnoy today … absolutely disgusting feeling that USMNT gave us."

The loss and subsequent criticism come amid expectations for a "golden generation" of US soccer talent, which Portnoy suggests has not materialized. The defeat was further highlighted by Belgium’s celebratory "Trump dance," which was seen as a mockery of the US team’s performance.

Sources