A New Challenge for the USMNT
The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) is venturing into rare territory as they prepare for the World Cup knockout stages. Following a solid 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina this past Wednesday, the squad is once again viewed as the favorite for their upcoming Round of 16 fixture against Belgium, scheduled for July 6 in Seattle.
Betting Odds and Market Sentiment
Early betting lines from BetMGM place the United States as a -120 favorite to progress, while Belgium sits at -105. In the three-way betting market, the U.S. holds +150 odds, compared to +170 for Belgium and +240 for a potential draw.
Public support for the USMNT remains exceptionally strong. Throughout the tournament, bettors have consistently backed the Americans, leading to significant payouts in three out of their four matches. Data from sportsbooks indicates that interest in the U.S. team is reaching record levels, with the recent match against Bosnia and Herzegovina generating the highest wagering volume for a single soccer game in the history of Caesars Sportsbook.
Regarding the overwhelming public support, Mark Bickerdike, head of soccer at Caesars Sportsbook, noted: «As we've become accustomed to, the USMNT were extremely popular with our bettors, attracting 91% of handle in the match betting market. In addition, 87% of handle was on Mauricio Pochettino's men in the 'to qualify' market, so it's fair to say we have plenty of happy bettors this evening.»
Impact of Balogun's Suspension
The U.S. side would likely be a more significant favorite if not for the forced absence of star forward Folarin Balogun. He was issued a controversial red card during the 64th minute of the previous match, while the U.S. held a 1-0 advantage. Because the red card cannot be overturned via appeal, Balogun will be sidelined for the upcoming game against Belgium.
Road to the Quarterfinals
Their opponent, Belgium, arrives at this stage after a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal on Wednesday, where they erased a 2-0 deficit in the final stages of the match. For the U.S. team, this game represents a crucial opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, when they defeated Mexico 2-0 in the same round.