If there was a sensation that became obvious in the final minutes of Belgium\u2019s 4-1 victory over the USMNT on Monday night, it was fear.<\/p>\n
Not that the U.S. side would lose; that was a foregone conclusion even before Romelu Lukaku\u2019s soul-crusher of a goal in the 93rd minute.<\/p>\n
It was fear that this was it. That for all the hype, all the pomp, and all the circumstance, the love affair that America had kindled with soccer these past few weeks would fizzle out now that the USMNT had been revealed to be good, but not the great squad some had propped them up to be.<\/p>\n
It was fear that this might be the best American soccer can hope for, making a run into the knockout stages but never getting over the hump, even with home-field (and presidential) advantage.<\/p>\n
And it was fear that the firehose of money \u2014 all that sweet, sweet, delicious money \u2014 was about to dry up for Fox now that the Americans were out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n
That fear was crystallized by Fox announcer John Strong, who offered a desperate plea in the match\u2019s waning moments for those watching at home to continue watching soccer despite where all of this ended.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ve enjoyed what you\u2019re seeing, well, support your local team,\u201d said Strong<\/a>. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t have to be the last soccer you watch for the next four years. It\u2019s a beautiful sport\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Whatever the intention, it landed with the kind of thud that can only come from fearful insistences during moments of hard truths.<\/p>\n OMG the \u201cplease keep watching soccer\u201d message as the U.S. is getting waffle-stomped is NOT HELPING \u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The announcers begging US viewers to not stop watching the World Cup now that we\u2019ve lost is the depressing cherry on top<\/p>\n \u2014 Sam Stein (@samstein) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Hilarious plea there to America to not stop watching soccer.<\/p>\n \u2014 Bryan Curtis (@bryancurtis) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Love the Fox announcer panicking to remind American fans they can keep watching soccer<\/p>\n \u2014 Sean Keeley (@seankeeley.bsky.social<\/a>) July 6, 2026 at 6:59 PM<\/a><\/p>\n He sounded like me podcasting about judo or fencing on the last day of the Olympics https:\/\/t.co\/E8Yb1v9cJ8<\/a><\/p>\n