Rick Maese

Ahead of a U.S. showdown with Belgium, some in the soccer world were questioning whether the White House improperly helped to get Folarin Balogun back on the pitch.

President ‘didn’t tell him what to do’ ahead of Monday’s World Cup matchup with Belgium.

Bill Danoff has watched the scene a couple of times now and can't help but chuckle: a group of American soccer players decades younger than

For weeks, the United States made its home World Cup feel like something in motion: louder with each city, more crowded with each win. It ended with a thud on Monday.

Matt Freese entered the tournament as perhaps the biggest question in the American starting lineup. He exited it as the biggest post-tournament question, too.

SEATTLE — The loneliest position on any soccer field is in goal, and never more so than after a heartbreaking loss. In the moments after the U.S. men's national team's World Cup dreams were dashed Monday night, Matt Freese wandered alone at one end of the field, surrounded by grass, noise and disappointment.

Freese had entered this tournament as perhaps the biggest question in the American starting lineup. He exited it as the biggest post-tournament question, too.

For nearly a month, a U.S. World Cup run that began with pressure and possibility kept growing: a group-stage surge, an injured star, a breakout

What felt like a magical run came to a screeching halt. Two Post reporters, perhaps cranky after weeks on the road with the team, discuss what went wrong and what comes next.

For the most devout fans, calories are in and cash is out while traveling North America in lockstep with their side.