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[00:01]
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[01:00]
Roger Bennett
You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network Suboptimal Radio. Podge kept saying, why not us? Why not us? The reality is, why never us? It's never us doing a Morocco. It's never us doing an Iceland. It's never us doing a Wales in the Euros. Why never us? Hello darkness, my old friend. Another World cup, another meat. Round of 16 exit. Not going to lie, this one hurts. Zombie performance in Seattle smashed by Belgium4.1 Reinstatement of Flo Baligun, one of the greatest own goals in American soccer history. From now on, the sound of country roads will be tinged with a sense only of regret. A fleeting happy moment. And another U.S. men's National Team World cup run over too soon. Kept screaming at the tv, not like this, not like this. But it was like this. And to break it down and ask the questions that need to be asked, it's Good to welcome ESPN and Vamos Network on Men in Blazer Zone. It's Mr. Herc Gomez.
[02:04]
Herculez Gomez
Raj, how are you doing my friend?
[02:06]
Roger Bennett
Not good. Not gonna lie. Not good at all. Simple question. Last night in Seattle, we went in with Hope and we ended up having the Belgians trump dance after banging their fourth past us. This was a generational cell phone. We've seen this US team soar in the group stage and last night they crashed to earth. Can you explain in one word what was it? Why we couldn't save a shot? Why we couldn't make a pass? Why we couldn't cock a fist last night?
[02:32]
Herculez Gomez
Cosmic. And that could include karma, that could include what's in your future, that could include what you are. It's a combination of all these things.
[02:41]
Roger Bennett
Rog, let's dig in to that deeper. We have to start with our star, Christian Pulisic. They're in body, but not in foot or mind. 59 minutes, no goals, no assists, no chances created, no touches in the box. I think the most damning statistic is this one. 11 possessions lost, 11 just in the first 45 minutes. More than anybody else on the field. This is the man who skipped the Gold cup so he could give his all for us in the World Cup. He left in the second half, shortly after that third goal. What happened to him?
[03:11]
Herculez Gomez
You could put it up to Rudy Garcia. And tactically, how he pins the fullbacks, which enclosed pinned Sergino Dest and pinned a Christian Pulisic back. So tactically, he made it very difficult for Christian Pulisic to operate in spaces he felt comfortable. And the possession lost, I'm okay with. Because you're an offensive player if you're trying to do things. But it didn't look like he was trying to do anything. It didn't look like the US Men's national team was trying to make something happen in the final third. And you're risk, reward. You lose the ball, nothing happens. That's not what it looked like. There's a saying in Spanish, se moriandenada. You died of nothing. You didn't fall on your shield. And Rog, it's the way the US Goes out here. It's not a talent issue. In some levels it is. In some levels it is. But take a look at the goals. Serginio Dess in the first lets the ball bounce. Fundamental error. You cannot let the ball bounce inside the box. He gets lost on the second. The same Sergino Dess gets torched. He and Alex Freeman, when Freeman tries to come and help him, get torched by Trossard, and then Tim Ream gets posterized by De Keteller. These are fundamental errors here. So it's not a talent issue. It's a emotional issue. The moment was too big for you issue. I can't handle the pressure issue. The lights are bright and I'm not big enough issue.
[04:26]
Roger Bennett
And for Pulisic, the agony is this was his peak World Cup. Left the first game injured, missed the second, came on as a substitute in the third, was injured again in the fifth and final game and had to leave. How does this impact his legacy?
[04:40]
Herculez Gomez
And there's no doubt in my mind that Christian Pulisic is the best American player to ever play at the club level. The resume speaks for itself. Landon doesn't have it, Clint doesn't have it, and one day may be the all time U.S. men's National Team player. But those guys I just mentioned, when it came to tournaments, when it came to international competition, that's when they played their best. That's when they checked off the boxes. Multiple World cup goals, quarterfinal appearances, Confederation cup runs, you know, a Dosa Serra against Mexico, beating the likes of Portugal in 2002, getting out of the Group of Death, you know, finally slaying Ghana, your achilles heel in 50 seconds. Those guys did that. Those guys had their moments. Christian Pulisic may be the most talented player for the U.S. men's national team to ever grace that jersey, but he's not proven it. He's got statistics, sure, but those big moments, checking off those boxes, like those guys, they have it. He's not had it.
[05:38]
Roger Bennett
Mauricio Pochettino exited still looking like Russell Crowe. But sadly, Russell Crowe, in that scene as the Roman general Maximus, where he's fatally stabbed in the Coliseum during the final duel, said after the game in the next weeks, we can start to talk if the federation wants to talk. Right now it's about resting a little bit. I'm so happy we, we built a very good relationship. Now is not a moment to talk about the future. Herc, does he stay? Does he go? Do we want him?
[06:06]
Herculez Gomez
I don't think it should stay. I've said this before. I've been very underwhelmed. Mauricio Pochettino and I've been accused of being anti American. It's not anti American to want a guy who's 18 one and 12 to stick around. It's not anti American to expect that. If you reset the market on the coaching side, on the men's side, to see something you've never seen before, to take you to that next level. It's not un American to not want to be embarrassed in front of the world. Raj. This was embarrassing. And I'm not just talking about on the field. I'm talking about everything that encompassed it from, from the government officials reaching out to FIFA and then Pochettino trying to justify it in some way. And it's okay, it's okay if you just said, hey, what do you want me to do? I get my best, one of my best players back, I'm going to use him. You could just say that. But don't give us some sad story about how you shouldn't be judged for it and how it's unfair. And then on the field, give us this showing the lasting image that we're going to have of Marisa Pochettino is him kicking a water bottle.
[07:07]
Roger Bennett
So it's only second shot of that first half, I think, by the way, what was it last night? Hurt, you've said. You know, you talked about it being cosmic. This team soared. This did happen the first two games. We saw it right with our own eyes. And then with the nation watching and believing against a Belgian team who were good but not great. I mean, this is now England, who clipped Mexico. This is now Morocco, who clipped Canada. We just reverted to the team we saw in March together who looked so mediocre, the one we thought would be group. Was it nerves? Was it a team under the weight of the geopolitical noise? Or was it just that we got hepped up thinking they were good? Then the first team they played, who could proactively process the ball, who could, you know, do things actively other than sit low, block or try and hold on?
[07:58]
Herculez Gomez
Yes, all of the above, Raj. That's a reality. Two games versus Belgium, aggregate score nine three. That same team that Mauricio Pochettino told you in Atlanta that in this very stadium, they're going to be in a semifinal. He ate five that night and he ate four yesterday and was very lucky because it could have been a lot more. Listen, Belgium is not a world beater. And I think a lot of us, and I include myself, gave the U.S. men's National Team a real chance of beating Belgium because of how bad Belgium was this tournament. I mean, you have to analyze the opponent as well. And Belgium is very lucky to be here. They were closer to their third goal conceded than they were their first goal scored against Senegal. That's a reality. So say what you want. Belgium gave us reasons to doubt him. That's the reality. The U.S. men's National Team gave them reasons to win the game. That's another reality, Raj. I picked the US to go third out of their group. I was wrong. And I thought I was grotesquely wrong. They won the game. I thought they were going to win, which is Australia? They lost the game. I thought they were going to lose, which was Turkey, you could say circumstantial. And they peaked versus Paraguay. That's the reality here. Paraguay had their worst game under Gustavo Alfaro, and a lot of that is the US men's national team making them bad, bad. But that was the peak, and it was the first game.
[09:08]
Roger Bennett
Let's look at the players. Give us player ratings for the tournament. I'm going to say a player's name. Give them a rating out of 10 to go through them. A quick word on each. Start with gentleman. We've already hit Christian Pulisic, six and a half.
[09:24]
Herculez Gomez
You gave 45 unbelievable minutes. You made us want more and couldn't give us more. And we're on the field. I don't think a lot of what happened to him is on him. At least not all of it. But half of that surely is. And I don't care if Christian Pulisic doesn't want the responsibility or the limelight. He gets it. You don't get everything that comes with being on seven of the 10 commercials we get to watch in the World cup and not have some accountability or responsibility here. He needs to own that. He really does.
[09:52]
Roger Bennett
We'll always have that chop back, that set the match against Paraguay. That highlight will always play. And the rest. So much darkness. So much.
[10:02]
Herculez Gomez
What if Flo Baligant, 9. Because I've not seen a forward like him in a US men's national team jersey in the World Cup. There was a stat that versus Belgium in the first half. He had 11 touches. He's a nine. He needs service. It's not gonna happen by himself. No man is an island. And yet Falern Balogan was close to one last night. He was all by himself.
[10:24]
Roger Bennett
Lethal until he was in that geopolitical Spotlight. Malik Tillman, 9.
[10:30]
Herculez Gomez
I liked what I saw to Malik. The numbers back it up. And I'm not just talking about the goals. I'm talking about the range in his passing. The distance covered a deep, blind position that he was playing that I didn't know he can play. I liked a lot of what I saw from Malik Tillman in this tournament.
[10:42]
Roger Bennett
Heartbeat of this team going forward.
[10:45]
Herculez Gomez
Very well. Could be, yes. Sergino Dest last night skews it down a lot. So I would say seven because I thought he was very good in other games. I thought he was instrumental in other games. But last night he almost goes down to six, if not five and a half. Last night was a brutal watch and I think Marisa Pochettino did him a favor taking him out. He put him out of his misery at halftime.
[11:06]
Roger Bennett
Sedinho Dest is a beautiful human being. His spirit is just singular. He is a player we love. I do feel he's one of those we overstate the strengths of and underestimate the weaknesses of as US fans, which, you know, it's a way we always big up our players. Him more than any. Godspeed.
[11:24]
Herculez Gomez
Tim Ream Tim Ream is a guy that surprised me in this tournament and yet validated everything I thought. He surprised me with his range, his passing, his leadership in the opening four games and yet validated my worries about Tim Ream playing at the World cup in the last game versus Belgium. I want to be as fair as I can to him. I'm going to give him a 7 bordering 7.5 because I was impressed with him. It's not his fault he was put in those positions. It is his fault once in those positions, he was taken advantage of.
[11:56]
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[13:19]
Roger Bennett
arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, we're going coast to coast, host city to host city to meet the world with the Men in Blazers Matchday Live Tour. These are free college Gameday style live events taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer where we'll be taking the stage with with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans.
[13:42]
Lays Commercial Voiceover
It's going to be amazing.
[13:43]
Roger Bennett
Come and be with us in person or From Afar on YouTube and let's celebrate this some other Way it's meant to be celebrated. Head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details. To the football to more together. Courage. The agony of Tim Ream is he was in this team for leadership, which, you know, he has 100 at. If it was a FIFA rating on a. On a squad that really needed it and needed him. But we said from the very beginning we knew, we knew that against the first good team, they would target Tim Ream. It was just everybody of his age. That's who you target. We knew, we knew and last night he was excellent against Bosnia, excellent. But we walked into the R, we threw ourselves on the banana skin. I said, we do not choose how we go out. Football chooses. And that was hard to watch. That third goal was a human agony. Weston McKinney 7.
[14:39]
Herculez Gomez
And I feel bad for Weston. I mentioned something like this before where I thought he could be a casualty in the new system for Mauricio Pochettino. He wasn't a casualty like Timothy Weah where he's off the field. But in terms of the best of Weston McKinney, that was taken from him for the team. I thought he did very well for the team. The arriving late into the box. The trademark Weston McKinney runs the trademark goals and if you will work rate. I thought it was stifled a bit by the system, but for the benefit of the team.
[15:10]
Roger Bennett
Tyler Adams.
[15:11]
Herculez Gomez
I feel for Tyler. I'm gonna give him a 7. I thought Tyler was very good this tournament and I thought he was left to cover a lot of ground. Yesterday I thought Rudy Garcia taking out a few players that maybe were big name players. Kevin De Bruyne, Odoku. They added fresh legs. Onana Raskin in the middle. It put him in compromising positions where he really had to chase a lot more. So I felt for him.
[15:32]
Roger Bennett
Tyler Adams. The only things I can say is should have been the captain of this team. One of the great enigmas of the past two years that I have never understood for a second and may or may not come out. But my understanding is I don't understand Alex Freeman.
[15:47]
Herculez Gomez
I liked Alex a lot. Eight bordering eight and a half. I liked him a lot.
[15:53]
Roger Bennett
Stock soared the highest in this tournament. Other than flank.
[15:56]
Herculez Gomez
I think there's three players who had their stock sore. One is Father and Balogun. The other one has Alex Freeman. And the third for me is Malik Tillman. I think the world saw Malik Tillman. Those are my three who had the stock soar.
[16:08]
Roger Bennett
Chris Richards.
[16:09]
Herculez Gomez
The problem with all these and I'm giving a 7 is last night is so difficult to take out of my brain.
[16:14]
Roger Bennett
You've not got recency bias of your Hurricane garage.
[16:17]
Herculez Gomez
I can't have my lasting image of Chris Richards Lukaku bodying him.
[16:21]
Roger Bennett
It was over, by the way. It reminded me of Tyler in the Dutch game last World cup, where he was just so shattered, the game was so spent, you just couldn't give any more. I mean, Chris Richards, to be candid, the face of the team going forward.
[16:33]
Herculez Gomez
For me, I agree.
[16:34]
Roger Bennett
It is and should be his spirit, his soul, his energy. Give that man all the bloody commercials. He should be playing for the Michelob Ultras.
[16:44]
Herculez Gomez
Amen. Garena 7. We did our duel Nats post game last night in the early mornings and Seb was pushing back that Gioareyna didn't work. And I'm like, hold on a second. I'm going back in my notes because I take notes during the game. Minute 45 to 55. My notes were as Serginio Des comes off, Giorena comes on, the US has more of the ball and they pinned Belgium back. Guess what happened. Minute 54, Christian Pulisic gets injured and he's hobbling around for two minutes. Guess what happens two minutes later? Matt Fries gives up that goal, the third goal, and it's demoralizing. So you go from being in it, pinning Belgium back and Gio being in that, a part of that, to all of a sudden, game over, because another mental mistake.
[17:26]
Roger Bennett
I feel for Gio, there is like an element that this career internationally could have peaked.
[17:31]
Herculez Gomez
I hope not, but that's a fair argument.
[17:33]
Roger Bennett
American Jack Wilshire. You know what I mean? An elite, elite moment all too young. I hope that is wrong and is not the case. But we're seeing that arc. And the big question is, what next in terms of the leadership, the structure? I think that will define a lot. Context is going to really define the next steps for G Arena. Last one here, Paul. Matt Fries, six and a half.
[17:53]
Herculez Gomez
The big question for Matt Fries was what would he be like when he is finally tested? He got tested. Minute one. Yeah, Minute one.
[18:00]
Roger Bennett
Rose to the occasion.
[18:01]
Herculez Gomez
Rose to the occasion.
[18:02]
Roger Bennett
Rajah.
[18:04]
Herculez Gomez
And there it is. Right, Great save. And you're thinking, this is what he needed. He's going to be settled. And then the second half, minute 56, 57 comes about. And I know what he's thinking, Raj. I know what he's thinking, exactly what he's thinking. He comes out, anticipates the ball. He's got on his left foot. He Sees up the field where he wants to pass, and I guarantee you, a Belgian player closes that lane and he second guesses himself. And the moment you hesitate at this level, it's over. He gets his pocket picked up. It's a flimsy shot. Let's be realistic here. Tim Ream can absolutely make a play on it. Goes about it to attack it with the outside of his left boot and it goes in. And it is just demoralizing is the only way I can explain this goal. What it does, it deflates the team. It sucks out the air out of this stadium, and it puts Belgium in full control. When you had 10 minutes of good play, when you had in the second half, the better play in Belgium was pinned in. This happens. It was game over.
[19:01]
Roger Bennett
I will say watching him sob at the end of the game was really hard. He said in an interview, the defeat quote hurts more than probably any moment in my life. We've all had moments like that. Not many of us have had them. With 5 billion people watching and the whole nation watching, I will say it's crushing to me that every World cup we have, I realized this. I wrote a book about it. We have finite World Cups, and each of them, American World cup journey, is so stunted, so quick on the men's side, so fleeting. The round of 16 ceiling that we just cannot break. For the past five World Cups, of course, the other one didn't qualify for. What will it take to make the quarterfinal again? What needs to change?
[19:45]
Herculez Gomez
It's not resources, it's not being better athletes or sending your best athletes to play soccer. That's not what it is. It's sending your best players, or as many players as you can to sharpen iron. Iron, excuse me, with the best in the world. That's what it's going to take. The American way is not the way of the world. The American way has not proven in this game to be of worth. Methodology, coaching. When it comes to facilities, we may be top, but it's not top in terms of how we prepare our players. And that's okay. But acknowledge that this isn't where the best football is played and send them where the best football is played, because it's a numbers game. There are only eight countries to ever win a World cup and the World cup is almost 100 years old. Raj, we cannot be arrogant about this like we are other sports. If you're a collegiate athlete in the United States and other sports, you are amongst the best in the world. If you're a college soccer player, great you get an education, but you're nowhere near.
[20:40]
Roger Bennett
They are going off. What do we have in this team from mls? We had Matt Fries, by the way, Sebastian Berhalter came on late. He was the only player who had fight. You watched him shoot narrowly miss. Fire up. The crowd shouted his team. I was like, what is that? That was amazing. We need more of that.
[20:58]
Herculez Gomez
We're sitting here hoping we get more fight. That should be the bare minimum. That's the embarrassing part here. We're asking this team to fight, to care, to die of something, to go out in their shield. And we're not asking about tactical or technical.
[21:10]
Roger Bennett
What is it, though? Podch kept saying, why not us? Why not us? The reality is, why never us? Why never us? It's never us doing a Morocco. It's never us doing an Iceland. It's never us. Never us doing a Wales in the Euros. Why never us? Round of 16. Done.
[21:26]
Herculez Gomez
What have we shown? That it's us, Roger. And this is where Pochettino can say it, because he's the coach. But it's irresponsible of people in other networks trying to sell us like, this is the year, this is going to happen. Why?
[21:37]
Roger Bennett
Quarterfinal, semi, final. They said before the game. I couldn't believe it.
[21:41]
Grainger Commercial Voiceover
Come on.
[21:42]
Herculez Gomez
It's irresponsible. It's downright arrogant. And listen, we can call a spade a spade. What happened to the US Was the host nation getting away with one. It's never happened before. And the rest of the world hated you for it. And that's okay, to be hated. America's used to it. But could God on the field prove that you belong there? And that wasn't the case. Why not? Is this because we don't have the players? The US does not have the players. The head coach of the national team, after he ate five in Atlanta from Belgium, said, we don't have the players.
[22:12]
Roger Bennett
He did say that. But then two weeks ago, he said, these players, they have such high iq. He. He did have the play. I don't understand. The crazy thing is less what happened last night? I don't understand. Where was the fight? Canada went out with heads held high against an excellent Morocco. Mexico for like hell. A heavyweight battle is a classic. A classic in World cup history. They can leave. I've seen so many Mexican fans have come up to me in Atlanta and. And have said, yeah, it was an agony, but I'm so proud of my boys. No one in the United States is saying that today. Nobody. This is what I don't understand is Less what happened last night. We knew the back line going in was a massive question mark. We knew the goalkeeper was raw, hadn't really been bedded in, hadn't been given the chance to be bedded in, had been switched up even in the World cup. Had been deprived of the minutes he really, really needed.
[23:06]
Lays Commercial Voiceover
What?
[23:06]
Roger Bennett
19 caps before last night. A quarter final. Biggest game of his life by a mile. We had so many questions. What the real question is, what happened the first two games? It's not what happened last night. How did it happen? For two games we were ecstatic. We were buccaneering that it did click, that we did, you know, create the illusion, fleetingly beautiful, that we could play with the big dogs. Last night, I understand that was a team we feared we'd be going in.
[23:33]
Herculez Gomez
Paraguay, to me was the outlier. Here you won the game that maybe many, at least I didn't project you to win. And you won it in an emphatic manner. You peaked in the very first game. Australia is a game that many thought you would win. That's the reality here. This is the World Cup. The margins are so slim. So, so, so now we go from feeling very good about doing something that has not been done since 1930. Winning the group only the third time in your history. And everybody's flying. You're the tournament darling. To then off the field, bad juju, bad karma. And here you are. And now we're probably labeling this tournament a failure. Now we're probably saying in the one moment when the world was watching, when you probably had close to 40 to 50 million Americans tuning in, you laid an egg. You buckled.
[24:19]
Roger Bennett
This is it. This is it. I mean, this is to me, why it's one of the greatest own goals in, in US football history. You heard Yuri Tieleman speak after the game. He said, let's be honest. We held the meeting when we heard the news, meaning Baligan. We told ourselves, let's do our talking on the pitch. That's what we did. I'm very proud of this team. Cue Lukaku doing the Trump dance on our field. Seattle, the heartbeat of American soccer mocking us. We got the country all revved up. And behind us, those scenes. The first two games. I've talked about them enough. The joy, the. The ebullience of thousands of people being this team we can be proud of. I flew on planes American Airlines gave away after the Australia win. I got a plane. It was covered in US Jerseys. One for every passenger. They applauded. This was the football loving land. I Wanted to live in. And then we wet the bed with the nation watching. What did this performance do for the brand of US Soccer in this country? What will its legacy be? How will it be remembered?
[25:19]
Herculez Gomez
In the last couple days, I was doing cnn, I was getting asked by Fox, I was doing TMZ interviews. Dan LeBatard, SportsCenter around the horn. These players, this coach, have no idea how, for a brief moment, they captivated a nation. They have no idea how the world turned and looked at you as a tournament darling. And all that goodwill came crashing down. But here in America, that goodwill would have stayed if you would have competed. You had people who had never been interested in the sport, interested in the sport. But still these people are American. And being American is defined by one thing to the majority, winning being number one. And they can't fathom a world where not only are you not number one, but you're closer to 16. That's inconceivable to these people. So I hope this is not detrimental. The one moment in time US soccer could not let waste was 2026 home World Cup 1994. Those players, for going third place in their group and losing to Brazil, are remembered as heroes. Warriors as warriors, national heroes and national treasures. Still to this day, they are remembered. Will these players be remembered as such 30 years from now for this tournament? What are you going to be remember for? What's going to be the lasting image?
[26:47]
Roger Bennett
I mean, I do think I said this one of the interviews I did this morning singing Country Roads against Australia. It's a life lesson. You do not know when your life high point is going to be. You think joy is going to go on forever. It is not. You have to seize every moment. That was my dark nightmare. On the flight out of Seattle, I did fall asleep briefly and had a nightmare that, wow, that was as good as it was going to get. It kind of was not a nightmare,
[27:11]
Herculez Gomez
that was a vision.
[27:12]
Roger Bennett
I know I've got to stop seeing the future because it's dark in this head, man. But what a missed opportunity it is when this World cup story is told. By the way, I want you to know, America, this World Cup's massive. It will be massive without the United States. This narrative will be when it's told in 20 years and we think of 2026. We'll think of Lionel Messi, we'll think of Erling Haaland, Mbappe, Kate Verde, Vizinha, Scottish fans, the world coming and falling in love with Bucky's Nuggets. That's what we'll remember. And if the US team are remembered as a narrative, it will be for the way we got Flo Baligan, whose name is forever going to be connected with this. Not his fault. And I feel for him whenever he takes the field, even if he goes on to score 100 goals. When he's mentioned Balogan, oh, that guy Balogate. That's what he'll be connected to. But we'll be remembered in this for the way we got our striker back from a ban in unprecedented fashion and turned the world against us and then failed immediately.
[28:13]
Herculez Gomez
I cannot disagree with the word you said and I feel for Flo. Flo, if anything, emerges an absolute star, bonafide star and looked like an all around good guy. His comments after the red card were about how he wanted to be a good role model, how he didn't react, how he didn't do anything publicly because he knows that kids are watching and he wants to be good for those people and that here he is being utilized in some manner that is unbefitting.
[28:38]
Roger Bennett
He didn't want to be the center of this stuff. Him going up to Rudy Garcia, the Belgian manager, after the game and making peace, apologizing almost. That is a man, that is a great human being. How you act in times of challenge defines you. So much love, so much respect. I can't imagine what he's feeling today. I want to bring this to a close here, but I want to list some players. You tell me if they'll be on the roster in 20, 30. Quick rip round. Are you ready for this?
[29:03]
Herculez Gomez
Yeah.
[29:04]
Roger Bennett
Gio Reyna.
[29:04]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:05]
Roger Bennett
Matt Fries.
[29:06]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:06]
Roger Bennett
Anthony Robinson will be 32.
[29:08]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:08]
Roger Bennett
Sergino Des, 29.
[29:10]
Herculez Gomez
Yes.
[29:10]
Roger Bennett
Tyler Adams, 31.
[29:12]
Herculez Gomez
I don't think his body will allow it.
[29:14]
Roger Bennett
Please God, be there. Please God, be the captain. Weston McKinney, he too. 31.
[29:19]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:19]
Roger Bennett
I think it's up to Weston's mentality, how he chooses to approach it. Kavan Sullivan, He'll No. Chris. Ooh.
[29:26]
Herculez Gomez
Why we are over Americanizing Sullivan here. He's not played in first Division yet. We're already throwing him to the World Cup.
[29:33]
Roger Bennett
Freddie Adu, will he be there?
[29:34]
Herculez Gomez
He'll be what, 29?
[29:36]
Roger Bennett
26, maybe. Julian Green, he'll be there. We don't have to talk about him. He'll be on again. Christian pulisic, he'll be 31.
[29:42]
Herculez Gomez
No. Because something tells me he's gonna be like John o'. Brien. He's gonna, you know, it's a bright star that kind of fades away and does his own thing.
[29:50]
Roger Bennett
Tim Ream, 63 years of age. Yes, he will be there, won't he? Captain?
[29:56]
Herculez Gomez
Most likely. That's why he'll be.
[29:57]
Roger Bennett
There we go again. Quick word on Mexico. Fallout. They went out with fight pride. Stunning heavyweight rumble.
[30:03]
Herculez Gomez
Very proud moment for the Mexican people in what was a very dark chapter in their sporting history. Coming off the worst pool of players that I've seen in my lifetime. Javier Aguirre being the third coach in their cycle. And they get to where they did and brought back the mystique of Azteca. They that game, England versus Mexico. The English tell me if I'm wrong. We'll be talking about that game for decades. Harry Kane may do a documentary in his life and talk about the turning point that was for England and for himself.
[30:30]
Roger Bennett
That game, 100%. I mean, that was a game. So many of them in this tournament that will be talked about with joy that we got to witness this in the sprinkler. And I want to be totally clear, and I want to have you end with a positive. If there's anything we can take from this hurk, any light in the darkness, for me, it is that we are without the U.S. the World cup is massive. America is enraptured. We still get to see Mbappe and Haaland and Messi, you know, and this English team dragged their carcass to Miami and see if there's any energy left. But we have been blessed to see so many almost biblical miracles. You're right. We have seen so many things that would be talked about for generations. The US have just failed to create theirs completely and utterly. Herc, last word to you. What can we take as a light in the darkness in this moment?
[31:19]
Herculez Gomez
Take the rebirth that will be for U.S. soccer. I truly believe this. The U.S. the United States of America, does not like to be embarrassed in the global stage. I do think there will be repercussions. I do think there will be a rebirth. Resources tossed in in a different mentality going forward. And it may take time, but I do think this ultimately will make the United States better for it.
[31:40]
Roger Bennett
That's reboot 4.0 of the last five has begun for me as a tweet from onaldcook jr. Late, late, late, late, late last night tweeted me and said, Only 1432 days until the next World Cup. Rog. Godspeed that. You know, immediately I got. I'm like, okay, so you're telling me there's a chance. Herc, we will keep chatting all the way through this. I'm just so sorry that we will not have a US Men's national team narrative to talk about. It is a human agony. Just a wasted opportunity. Again, gone too soon. You're a beautiful human being. Big, big love. Enjoy, Messi. Enjoy all that is to come. Courage.
[32:23]
Herculez Gomez
I appreciate you, Raj.

Summary7 min read

Men In Blazers: Herc Gomez on USMNT’s Painful Exit Against Belgium (07/07/2026)

Episode Overview

In this emotional post-mortem, Roger Bennett welcomes ESPN and Vamos Network's Herculez Gomez to break down the U.S. Men’s National Team's (USMNT) disappointing Round of 16 exit from the 2026 World Cup after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in Seattle. The episode delves into why this team faltered, Christian Pulisic’s legacy, coaching decisions, and the broader implications for U.S. Soccer.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The End of the Road: Emotional Fallout (01:00–02:32)

Roger opens with raw honesty, lamenting another early USMNT exit and the recurring dashed hopes:

“Podge kept saying, why not us? Why not us? The reality is, why never us?” — Roger Bennett (01:04)
Sets the tone of national agony and introspection.

2. Diagnosis in a Word, and the Cosmic Weight (02:32–03:11)

Herc attributes the implosion to something deeper than tactics or talent:

“Cosmic. And that could include karma, that could include what's in your future, that could include what you are. It's a combination of all these things.” — Herculez Gomez (02:32)

3. Christian Pulisic: A Legacy Unfulfilled? (02:40–05:37)

Roger details Pulisic's statistical disappearance in the match—no shots, no assists, 11 possessions lost in the first half alone (02:40–03:11).
Herc credits Belgian tactics but is candid about Pulisic and the team’s emotional collapse:

“It's not a talent issue... The moment was too big for you issue. I can't handle the pressure issue. The lights are bright and I'm not big enough issue.” — Herculez Gomez (04:13)
On Pulisic’s USMNT legacy:

“He may be the most talented player for the U.S. men's national team...but he's not proven it... Those big moments, checking off those boxes, like those guys, they have it. He's not had it.” — Herculez Gomez (05:30)

4. Coach Mauricio Pochettino: Stay or Go? (05:37–07:07)

Roger questions Pochettino’s future after the World Cup debacle.
Herc pulls no punches:

“I don’t think it should stay. I’ve been very underwhelmed...It’s not un-American to not want to be embarrassed in front of the world. Raj. This was embarrassing.” — Herculez Gomez (06:06)

5. Why Did It Fall Apart? (07:07–09:08)

Raj wonders if nerves, the weight of pressure, or overestimation led to the defeat.
Herc blames a combination including recurring issues against Belgium and a team that never really grew beyond its group stage peak.

6. Player Ratings: Tournament Grades & Honest Words (09:08–17:53)

Selected Ratings and Quotes:

Christian Pulisic: 6.5

“You made us want more and couldn’t give us more...He needs to own that.” — Herculez Gomez (09:24) "We’ll always have that chop back...and the rest. So much darkness." — Roger (09:52)
Folarin Balogun: 9

“I've not seen a forward like him...No man is an island. And yet Falern Balogan was close to one last night.” — Herculez Gomez (10:01)
Malik Tillman: 9

"I liked what I saw...His range in passing...distance covered..." — Herculez Gomez (10:29)
Sergiño Dest: 7 (skewed down)

“Last night...brutal...Marisa Pochettino did him a favor taking him out.” — Herculez Gomez (10:45)
Tim Ream: 7/7.5

“Surprised me with range, leadership...but validated worries in the last game.” — Herculez Gomez (11:23) "We threw ourselves on the banana skin." — Roger (13:42)
Weston McKennie: 7

“He could be a casualty in the new system...best of McKennie was taken from him for the team.” — Herculez Gomez (14:39)
Tyler Adams: 7

“Thought he was very good...given a lot to cover. Felt for him.” — Herculez Gomez (15:10)
Alex Freeman: 8/8.5

“I liked Alex a lot. Stock soared.” — Herculez Gomez (15:47)
Chris Richards: 7

“Last night is so difficult to take out of my brain...lasting image of Chris Richards Lukaku bodying him.” — Herculez Gomez (16:08)
Gio Reyna: 7

“As Serginio Des comes off, Gio comes on, US have more of the ball...then it's all undone by injury and a mistake.” — Herculez Gomez (16:43)
Matt Freese: 6.5

“Rose to the occasion...then the second half...hesitates, gets his pocket picked...it is just demoralizing.” — Herculez Gomez (18:01)

7. The Round of 16 Ceiling & Systemic Shortcomings (19:00–21:37)

Roger despairs over the US’s perpetual ceiling:

“The round of 16 ceiling that we just cannot break. For the past five World Cups…what will it take to make the quarterfinal again?” — Roger Bennett (19:00)
Herc implores:

“It's not resources...It's sending your best players to sharpen iron with the best in the world...The American way has not proven in this game to be of worth.” — Herculez Gomez (19:44)
On player mindset:

“We're sitting here hoping we get more fight. That should be the bare minimum. That's the embarrassing part here.” — Herculez Gomez (20:57)

8. “Why Never Us?”: A Moment for National Reflection (21:10–23:05)

Roger:

“Why never us? It’s never us doing a Morocco, it’s never us doing an Iceland, it’s never us doing a Wales in the Euros. Why never us?” (21:10)
Herc and Roger denounce media and coaching hubris for building unrealistic expectations and failing to own realities.

9. Highs, Lows & Legacy (24:19–28:37)

Roger describes the emotional whiplash from a nation united after the Australia win, to humiliation against Belgium.
Herc’s verdict on legacy:

“These players, this coach, have no idea how, for a brief moment, they captivated a nation...But still these people are American. And being American is defined by one thing...winning...they can't fathom a world where...you're closer to 16.” — Herculez Gomez (25:18)
They agree the 2026 team will be remembered for the “Balogate” controversy and not for glory on the pitch.

10. The Future: 2030 Core—Who Makes It? (28:37–29:56)

Roger does a rapid-fire with Herc on which current players could make the 2030 squad:
- Gio Reyna: No (29:04)
- Matt Fries: No (29:05)
- Sergiño Dest: Yes (29:09)
- Tyler Adams: Doubtful for fitness (29:12)
- Christian Pulisic: No, compared to John O'Brien’s fleeting prime (29:42)
- Tim Ream: Jokily, "Yes, he will be there, won't he? Captain?" (29:49)

11. A Brighter Side: Mexico’s Different Exit (29:56–30:29)

Herc praises Mexico’s heartbreak exit full of pride and fight, contrasting it to the US:

“Very proud moment for the Mexican people in what was a very dark chapter...” (30:02)

12. Searching for Light: The Need for Rebirth (31:19–32:22)

Herc:

“Take the rebirth that will be for US soccer. The United States of America does not like to be embarrassed on the global stage...there will be repercussions…there will be a rebirth.” (31:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Se morian de nada. You died of nothing. You didn’t fall on your shield.” — Herculez Gomez (03:11)
“The agony is this was [Pulisic’s] peak World Cup...he’s not had [the moments].” — Herculez Gomez (05:37)
“It’s not un-American to not want to be embarrassed in front of the world. Raj. This was embarrassing.” — Herculez Gomez (06:06)
“The round of 16 ceiling...so stunted, so quick on the men’s side, so fleeting.” — Roger Bennett (19:00)
“It's not resources...The American way has not proven in this game to be of worth.” — Herculez Gomez (19:44)
“Why never us? It's never us doing a Morocco.” — Roger Bennett (21:10)
“What happened to the U.S. was the host nation getting away with one...the rest of the world hated you for it.” — Herculez Gomez (21:42)
“Balogate...that’s what he’ll be connected to.” — Roger Bennett (27:12)
“Take the rebirth that will be for U.S. soccer...this ultimately will make the United States better for it.” — Herculez Gomez (31:19)
“Only 1432 days until the next World Cup. So you're telling me there's a chance.” — Roger Bennett (31:39)

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

Opening Lament & Theme: 01:00–02:32
Explaining the Collapse: 02:32–04:26
Pulisic’s Legacy: 04:26–05:37
Coach Assessment: 05:37–07:07
How Did Failure Happen?: 07:07–09:08
Player Ratings Rapid-Fire: 09:08–17:53
What Needs to Change: 19:00–21:37
“Why Never Us?” Reflection: 21:10–23:05
National Mood & Brand Impact: 24:19–28:13
2030 Squad Predictions: 28:37–29:56
Mexico Comparison & Tournament Joys: 29:56–31:19
Final Words: Hope for Rebirth: 31:19–32:22

Conclusion

The episode paints a searing, at times cathartic, picture of U.S. Soccer at a crossroads—highlighting the pain of untapped potential, leaders under scrutiny, and a reminder that fleeting highs must be seized. Herc leaves listeners with hope—of reckoning, change, and eventual rebirth. Throughout, both hosts embody the passion, wit, and empathy that define Men In Blazers.

Courage.

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Transcript97 lines

[00:01]
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[01:00]
Roger Bennett
You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network Suboptimal Radio. Podge kept saying, why not us? Why not us? The reality is, why never us? It's never us doing a Morocco. It's never us doing an Iceland. It's never us doing a Wales in the Euros. Why never us? Hello darkness, my old friend. Another World cup, another meat. Round of 16 exit. Not going to lie, this one hurts. Zombie performance in Seattle smashed by Belgium4.1 Reinstatement of Flo Baligun, one of the greatest own goals in American soccer history. From now on, the sound of country roads will be tinged with a sense only of regret. A fleeting happy moment. And another U.S. men's National Team World cup run over too soon. Kept screaming at the tv, not like this, not like this. But it was like this. And to break it down and ask the questions that need to be asked, it's Good to welcome ESPN and Vamos Network on Men in Blazer Zone. It's Mr. Herc Gomez.
[02:04]
Herculez Gomez
Raj, how are you doing my friend?
[02:06]
Roger Bennett
Not good. Not gonna lie. Not good at all. Simple question. Last night in Seattle, we went in with Hope and we ended up having the Belgians trump dance after banging their fourth past us. This was a generational cell phone. We've seen this US team soar in the group stage and last night they crashed to earth. Can you explain in one word what was it? Why we couldn't save a shot? Why we couldn't make a pass? Why we couldn't cock a fist last night?
[02:32]
Herculez Gomez
Cosmic. And that could include karma, that could include what's in your future, that could include what you are. It's a combination of all these things.
[02:41]
Roger Bennett
Rog, let's dig in to that deeper. We have to start with our star, Christian Pulisic. They're in body, but not in foot or mind. 59 minutes, no goals, no assists, no chances created, no touches in the box. I think the most damning statistic is this one. 11 possessions lost, 11 just in the first 45 minutes. More than anybody else on the field. This is the man who skipped the Gold cup so he could give his all for us in the World Cup. He left in the second half, shortly after that third goal. What happened to him?
[03:11]
Herculez Gomez
You could put it up to Rudy Garcia. And tactically, how he pins the fullbacks, which enclosed pinned Sergino Dest and pinned a Christian Pulisic back. So tactically, he made it very difficult for Christian Pulisic to operate in spaces he felt comfortable. And the possession lost, I'm okay with. Because you're an offensive player if you're trying to do things. But it didn't look like he was trying to do anything. It didn't look like the US Men's national team was trying to make something happen in the final third. And you're risk, reward. You lose the ball, nothing happens. That's not what it looked like. There's a saying in Spanish, se moriandenada. You died of nothing. You didn't fall on your shield. And Rog, it's the way the US Goes out here. It's not a talent issue. In some levels it is. In some levels it is. But take a look at the goals. Serginio Dess in the first lets the ball bounce. Fundamental error. You cannot let the ball bounce inside the box. He gets lost on the second. The same Sergino Dess gets torched. He and Alex Freeman, when Freeman tries to come and help him, get torched by Trossard, and then Tim Ream gets posterized by De Keteller. These are fundamental errors here. So it's not a talent issue. It's a emotional issue. The moment was too big for you issue. I can't handle the pressure issue. The lights are bright and I'm not big enough issue.
[04:26]
Roger Bennett
And for Pulisic, the agony is this was his peak World Cup. Left the first game injured, missed the second, came on as a substitute in the third, was injured again in the fifth and final game and had to leave. How does this impact his legacy?
[04:40]
Herculez Gomez
And there's no doubt in my mind that Christian Pulisic is the best American player to ever play at the club level. The resume speaks for itself. Landon doesn't have it, Clint doesn't have it, and one day may be the all time U.S. men's National Team player. But those guys I just mentioned, when it came to tournaments, when it came to international competition, that's when they played their best. That's when they checked off the boxes. Multiple World cup goals, quarterfinal appearances, Confederation cup runs, you know, a Dosa Serra against Mexico, beating the likes of Portugal in 2002, getting out of the Group of Death, you know, finally slaying Ghana, your achilles heel in 50 seconds. Those guys did that. Those guys had their moments. Christian Pulisic may be the most talented player for the U.S. men's national team to ever grace that jersey, but he's not proven it. He's got statistics, sure, but those big moments, checking off those boxes, like those guys, they have it. He's not had it.
[05:38]
Roger Bennett
Mauricio Pochettino exited still looking like Russell Crowe. But sadly, Russell Crowe, in that scene as the Roman general Maximus, where he's fatally stabbed in the Coliseum during the final duel, said after the game in the next weeks, we can start to talk if the federation wants to talk. Right now it's about resting a little bit. I'm so happy we, we built a very good relationship. Now is not a moment to talk about the future. Herc, does he stay? Does he go? Do we want him?
[06:06]
Herculez Gomez
I don't think it should stay. I've said this before. I've been very underwhelmed. Mauricio Pochettino and I've been accused of being anti American. It's not anti American to want a guy who's 18 one and 12 to stick around. It's not anti American to expect that. If you reset the market on the coaching side, on the men's side, to see something you've never seen before, to take you to that next level. It's not un American to not want to be embarrassed in front of the world. Raj. This was embarrassing. And I'm not just talking about on the field. I'm talking about everything that encompassed it from, from the government officials reaching out to FIFA and then Pochettino trying to justify it in some way. And it's okay, it's okay if you just said, hey, what do you want me to do? I get my best, one of my best players back, I'm going to use him. You could just say that. But don't give us some sad story about how you shouldn't be judged for it and how it's unfair. And then on the field, give us this showing the lasting image that we're going to have of Marisa Pochettino is him kicking a water bottle.
[07:07]
Roger Bennett
So it's only second shot of that first half, I think, by the way, what was it last night? Hurt, you've said. You know, you talked about it being cosmic. This team soared. This did happen the first two games. We saw it right with our own eyes. And then with the nation watching and believing against a Belgian team who were good but not great. I mean, this is now England, who clipped Mexico. This is now Morocco, who clipped Canada. We just reverted to the team we saw in March together who looked so mediocre, the one we thought would be group. Was it nerves? Was it a team under the weight of the geopolitical noise? Or was it just that we got hepped up thinking they were good? Then the first team they played, who could proactively process the ball, who could, you know, do things actively other than sit low, block or try and hold on?
[07:58]
Herculez Gomez
Yes, all of the above, Raj. That's a reality. Two games versus Belgium, aggregate score nine three. That same team that Mauricio Pochettino told you in Atlanta that in this very stadium, they're going to be in a semifinal. He ate five that night and he ate four yesterday and was very lucky because it could have been a lot more. Listen, Belgium is not a world beater. And I think a lot of us, and I include myself, gave the U.S. men's National Team a real chance of beating Belgium because of how bad Belgium was this tournament. I mean, you have to analyze the opponent as well. And Belgium is very lucky to be here. They were closer to their third goal conceded than they were their first goal scored against Senegal. That's a reality. So say what you want. Belgium gave us reasons to doubt him. That's the reality. The U.S. men's National Team gave them reasons to win the game. That's another reality, Raj. I picked the US to go third out of their group. I was wrong. And I thought I was grotesquely wrong. They won the game. I thought they were going to win, which is Australia? They lost the game. I thought they were going to lose, which was Turkey, you could say circumstantial. And they peaked versus Paraguay. That's the reality here. Paraguay had their worst game under Gustavo Alfaro, and a lot of that is the US men's national team making them bad, bad. But that was the peak, and it was the first game.
[09:08]
Roger Bennett
Let's look at the players. Give us player ratings for the tournament. I'm going to say a player's name. Give them a rating out of 10 to go through them. A quick word on each. Start with gentleman. We've already hit Christian Pulisic, six and a half.
[09:24]
Herculez Gomez
You gave 45 unbelievable minutes. You made us want more and couldn't give us more. And we're on the field. I don't think a lot of what happened to him is on him. At least not all of it. But half of that surely is. And I don't care if Christian Pulisic doesn't want the responsibility or the limelight. He gets it. You don't get everything that comes with being on seven of the 10 commercials we get to watch in the World cup and not have some accountability or responsibility here. He needs to own that. He really does.
[09:52]
Roger Bennett
We'll always have that chop back, that set the match against Paraguay. That highlight will always play. And the rest. So much darkness. So much.
[10:02]
Herculez Gomez
What if Flo Baligant, 9. Because I've not seen a forward like him in a US men's national team jersey in the World Cup. There was a stat that versus Belgium in the first half. He had 11 touches. He's a nine. He needs service. It's not gonna happen by himself. No man is an island. And yet Falern Balogan was close to one last night. He was all by himself.
[10:24]
Roger Bennett
Lethal until he was in that geopolitical Spotlight. Malik Tillman, 9.
[10:30]
Herculez Gomez
I liked what I saw to Malik. The numbers back it up. And I'm not just talking about the goals. I'm talking about the range in his passing. The distance covered a deep, blind position that he was playing that I didn't know he can play. I liked a lot of what I saw from Malik Tillman in this tournament.
[10:42]
Roger Bennett
Heartbeat of this team going forward.
[10:45]
Herculez Gomez
Very well. Could be, yes. Sergino Dest last night skews it down a lot. So I would say seven because I thought he was very good in other games. I thought he was instrumental in other games. But last night he almost goes down to six, if not five and a half. Last night was a brutal watch and I think Marisa Pochettino did him a favor taking him out. He put him out of his misery at halftime.
[11:06]
Roger Bennett
Sedinho Dest is a beautiful human being. His spirit is just singular. He is a player we love. I do feel he's one of those we overstate the strengths of and underestimate the weaknesses of as US fans, which, you know, it's a way we always big up our players. Him more than any. Godspeed.
[11:24]
Herculez Gomez
Tim Ream Tim Ream is a guy that surprised me in this tournament and yet validated everything I thought. He surprised me with his range, his passing, his leadership in the opening four games and yet validated my worries about Tim Ream playing at the World cup in the last game versus Belgium. I want to be as fair as I can to him. I'm going to give him a 7 bordering 7.5 because I was impressed with him. It's not his fault he was put in those positions. It is his fault once in those positions, he was taken advantage of.
[11:56]
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[13:19]
Roger Bennett
arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, we're going coast to coast, host city to host city to meet the world with the Men in Blazers Matchday Live Tour. These are free college Gameday style live events taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer where we'll be taking the stage with with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans.
[13:42]
Lays Commercial Voiceover
It's going to be amazing.
[13:43]
Roger Bennett
Come and be with us in person or From Afar on YouTube and let's celebrate this some other Way it's meant to be celebrated. Head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details. To the football to more together. Courage. The agony of Tim Ream is he was in this team for leadership, which, you know, he has 100 at. If it was a FIFA rating on a. On a squad that really needed it and needed him. But we said from the very beginning we knew, we knew that against the first good team, they would target Tim Ream. It was just everybody of his age. That's who you target. We knew, we knew and last night he was excellent against Bosnia, excellent. But we walked into the R, we threw ourselves on the banana skin. I said, we do not choose how we go out. Football chooses. And that was hard to watch. That third goal was a human agony. Weston McKinney 7.
[14:39]
Herculez Gomez
And I feel bad for Weston. I mentioned something like this before where I thought he could be a casualty in the new system for Mauricio Pochettino. He wasn't a casualty like Timothy Weah where he's off the field. But in terms of the best of Weston McKinney, that was taken from him for the team. I thought he did very well for the team. The arriving late into the box. The trademark Weston McKinney runs the trademark goals and if you will work rate. I thought it was stifled a bit by the system, but for the benefit of the team.
[15:10]
Roger Bennett
Tyler Adams.
[15:11]
Herculez Gomez
I feel for Tyler. I'm gonna give him a 7. I thought Tyler was very good this tournament and I thought he was left to cover a lot of ground. Yesterday I thought Rudy Garcia taking out a few players that maybe were big name players. Kevin De Bruyne, Odoku. They added fresh legs. Onana Raskin in the middle. It put him in compromising positions where he really had to chase a lot more. So I felt for him.
[15:32]
Roger Bennett
Tyler Adams. The only things I can say is should have been the captain of this team. One of the great enigmas of the past two years that I have never understood for a second and may or may not come out. But my understanding is I don't understand Alex Freeman.
[15:47]
Herculez Gomez
I liked Alex a lot. Eight bordering eight and a half. I liked him a lot.
[15:53]
Roger Bennett
Stock soared the highest in this tournament. Other than flank.
[15:56]
Herculez Gomez
I think there's three players who had their stock sore. One is Father and Balogun. The other one has Alex Freeman. And the third for me is Malik Tillman. I think the world saw Malik Tillman. Those are my three who had the stock soar.
[16:08]
Roger Bennett
Chris Richards.
[16:09]
Herculez Gomez
The problem with all these and I'm giving a 7 is last night is so difficult to take out of my brain.
[16:14]
Roger Bennett
You've not got recency bias of your Hurricane garage.
[16:17]
Herculez Gomez
I can't have my lasting image of Chris Richards Lukaku bodying him.
[16:21]
Roger Bennett
It was over, by the way. It reminded me of Tyler in the Dutch game last World cup, where he was just so shattered, the game was so spent, you just couldn't give any more. I mean, Chris Richards, to be candid, the face of the team going forward.
[16:33]
Herculez Gomez
For me, I agree.
[16:34]
Roger Bennett
It is and should be his spirit, his soul, his energy. Give that man all the bloody commercials. He should be playing for the Michelob Ultras.
[16:44]
Herculez Gomez
Amen. Garena 7. We did our duel Nats post game last night in the early mornings and Seb was pushing back that Gioareyna didn't work. And I'm like, hold on a second. I'm going back in my notes because I take notes during the game. Minute 45 to 55. My notes were as Serginio Des comes off, Giorena comes on, the US has more of the ball and they pinned Belgium back. Guess what happened. Minute 54, Christian Pulisic gets injured and he's hobbling around for two minutes. Guess what happens two minutes later? Matt Fries gives up that goal, the third goal, and it's demoralizing. So you go from being in it, pinning Belgium back and Gio being in that, a part of that, to all of a sudden, game over, because another mental mistake.
[17:26]
Roger Bennett
I feel for Gio, there is like an element that this career internationally could have peaked.
[17:31]
Herculez Gomez
I hope not, but that's a fair argument.
[17:33]
Roger Bennett
American Jack Wilshire. You know what I mean? An elite, elite moment all too young. I hope that is wrong and is not the case. But we're seeing that arc. And the big question is, what next in terms of the leadership, the structure? I think that will define a lot. Context is going to really define the next steps for G Arena. Last one here, Paul. Matt Fries, six and a half.
[17:53]
Herculez Gomez
The big question for Matt Fries was what would he be like when he is finally tested? He got tested. Minute one. Yeah, Minute one.
[18:00]
Roger Bennett
Rose to the occasion.
[18:01]
Herculez Gomez
Rose to the occasion.
[18:02]
Roger Bennett
Rajah.
[18:04]
Herculez Gomez
And there it is. Right, Great save. And you're thinking, this is what he needed. He's going to be settled. And then the second half, minute 56, 57 comes about. And I know what he's thinking, Raj. I know what he's thinking, exactly what he's thinking. He comes out, anticipates the ball. He's got on his left foot. He Sees up the field where he wants to pass, and I guarantee you, a Belgian player closes that lane and he second guesses himself. And the moment you hesitate at this level, it's over. He gets his pocket picked up. It's a flimsy shot. Let's be realistic here. Tim Ream can absolutely make a play on it. Goes about it to attack it with the outside of his left boot and it goes in. And it is just demoralizing is the only way I can explain this goal. What it does, it deflates the team. It sucks out the air out of this stadium, and it puts Belgium in full control. When you had 10 minutes of good play, when you had in the second half, the better play in Belgium was pinned in. This happens. It was game over.
[19:01]
Roger Bennett
I will say watching him sob at the end of the game was really hard. He said in an interview, the defeat quote hurts more than probably any moment in my life. We've all had moments like that. Not many of us have had them. With 5 billion people watching and the whole nation watching, I will say it's crushing to me that every World cup we have, I realized this. I wrote a book about it. We have finite World Cups, and each of them, American World cup journey, is so stunted, so quick on the men's side, so fleeting. The round of 16 ceiling that we just cannot break. For the past five World Cups, of course, the other one didn't qualify for. What will it take to make the quarterfinal again? What needs to change?
[19:45]
Herculez Gomez
It's not resources, it's not being better athletes or sending your best athletes to play soccer. That's not what it is. It's sending your best players, or as many players as you can to sharpen iron. Iron, excuse me, with the best in the world. That's what it's going to take. The American way is not the way of the world. The American way has not proven in this game to be of worth. Methodology, coaching. When it comes to facilities, we may be top, but it's not top in terms of how we prepare our players. And that's okay. But acknowledge that this isn't where the best football is played and send them where the best football is played, because it's a numbers game. There are only eight countries to ever win a World cup and the World cup is almost 100 years old. Raj, we cannot be arrogant about this like we are other sports. If you're a collegiate athlete in the United States and other sports, you are amongst the best in the world. If you're a college soccer player, great you get an education, but you're nowhere near.
[20:40]
Roger Bennett
They are going off. What do we have in this team from mls? We had Matt Fries, by the way, Sebastian Berhalter came on late. He was the only player who had fight. You watched him shoot narrowly miss. Fire up. The crowd shouted his team. I was like, what is that? That was amazing. We need more of that.
[20:58]
Herculez Gomez
We're sitting here hoping we get more fight. That should be the bare minimum. That's the embarrassing part here. We're asking this team to fight, to care, to die of something, to go out in their shield. And we're not asking about tactical or technical.
[21:10]
Roger Bennett
What is it, though? Podch kept saying, why not us? Why not us? The reality is, why never us? Why never us? It's never us doing a Morocco. It's never us doing an Iceland. It's never us. Never us doing a Wales in the Euros. Why never us? Round of 16. Done.
[21:26]
Herculez Gomez
What have we shown? That it's us, Roger. And this is where Pochettino can say it, because he's the coach. But it's irresponsible of people in other networks trying to sell us like, this is the year, this is going to happen. Why?
[21:37]
Roger Bennett
Quarterfinal, semi, final. They said before the game. I couldn't believe it.
[21:41]
Grainger Commercial Voiceover
Come on.
[21:42]
Herculez Gomez
It's irresponsible. It's downright arrogant. And listen, we can call a spade a spade. What happened to the US Was the host nation getting away with one. It's never happened before. And the rest of the world hated you for it. And that's okay, to be hated. America's used to it. But could God on the field prove that you belong there? And that wasn't the case. Why not? Is this because we don't have the players? The US does not have the players. The head coach of the national team, after he ate five in Atlanta from Belgium, said, we don't have the players.
[22:12]
Roger Bennett
He did say that. But then two weeks ago, he said, these players, they have such high iq. He. He did have the play. I don't understand. The crazy thing is less what happened last night? I don't understand. Where was the fight? Canada went out with heads held high against an excellent Morocco. Mexico for like hell. A heavyweight battle is a classic. A classic in World cup history. They can leave. I've seen so many Mexican fans have come up to me in Atlanta and. And have said, yeah, it was an agony, but I'm so proud of my boys. No one in the United States is saying that today. Nobody. This is what I don't understand is Less what happened last night. We knew the back line going in was a massive question mark. We knew the goalkeeper was raw, hadn't really been bedded in, hadn't been given the chance to be bedded in, had been switched up even in the World cup. Had been deprived of the minutes he really, really needed.
[23:06]
Lays Commercial Voiceover
What?
[23:06]
Roger Bennett
19 caps before last night. A quarter final. Biggest game of his life by a mile. We had so many questions. What the real question is, what happened the first two games? It's not what happened last night. How did it happen? For two games we were ecstatic. We were buccaneering that it did click, that we did, you know, create the illusion, fleetingly beautiful, that we could play with the big dogs. Last night, I understand that was a team we feared we'd be going in.
[23:33]
Herculez Gomez
Paraguay, to me was the outlier. Here you won the game that maybe many, at least I didn't project you to win. And you won it in an emphatic manner. You peaked in the very first game. Australia is a game that many thought you would win. That's the reality here. This is the World Cup. The margins are so slim. So, so, so now we go from feeling very good about doing something that has not been done since 1930. Winning the group only the third time in your history. And everybody's flying. You're the tournament darling. To then off the field, bad juju, bad karma. And here you are. And now we're probably labeling this tournament a failure. Now we're probably saying in the one moment when the world was watching, when you probably had close to 40 to 50 million Americans tuning in, you laid an egg. You buckled.
[24:19]
Roger Bennett
This is it. This is it. I mean, this is to me, why it's one of the greatest own goals in, in US football history. You heard Yuri Tieleman speak after the game. He said, let's be honest. We held the meeting when we heard the news, meaning Baligan. We told ourselves, let's do our talking on the pitch. That's what we did. I'm very proud of this team. Cue Lukaku doing the Trump dance on our field. Seattle, the heartbeat of American soccer mocking us. We got the country all revved up. And behind us, those scenes. The first two games. I've talked about them enough. The joy, the. The ebullience of thousands of people being this team we can be proud of. I flew on planes American Airlines gave away after the Australia win. I got a plane. It was covered in US Jerseys. One for every passenger. They applauded. This was the football loving land. I Wanted to live in. And then we wet the bed with the nation watching. What did this performance do for the brand of US Soccer in this country? What will its legacy be? How will it be remembered?
[25:19]
Herculez Gomez
In the last couple days, I was doing cnn, I was getting asked by Fox, I was doing TMZ interviews. Dan LeBatard, SportsCenter around the horn. These players, this coach, have no idea how, for a brief moment, they captivated a nation. They have no idea how the world turned and looked at you as a tournament darling. And all that goodwill came crashing down. But here in America, that goodwill would have stayed if you would have competed. You had people who had never been interested in the sport, interested in the sport. But still these people are American. And being American is defined by one thing to the majority, winning being number one. And they can't fathom a world where not only are you not number one, but you're closer to 16. That's inconceivable to these people. So I hope this is not detrimental. The one moment in time US soccer could not let waste was 2026 home World Cup 1994. Those players, for going third place in their group and losing to Brazil, are remembered as heroes. Warriors as warriors, national heroes and national treasures. Still to this day, they are remembered. Will these players be remembered as such 30 years from now for this tournament? What are you going to be remember for? What's going to be the lasting image?
[26:47]
Roger Bennett
I mean, I do think I said this one of the interviews I did this morning singing Country Roads against Australia. It's a life lesson. You do not know when your life high point is going to be. You think joy is going to go on forever. It is not. You have to seize every moment. That was my dark nightmare. On the flight out of Seattle, I did fall asleep briefly and had a nightmare that, wow, that was as good as it was going to get. It kind of was not a nightmare,
[27:11]
Herculez Gomez
that was a vision.
[27:12]
Roger Bennett
I know I've got to stop seeing the future because it's dark in this head, man. But what a missed opportunity it is when this World cup story is told. By the way, I want you to know, America, this World Cup's massive. It will be massive without the United States. This narrative will be when it's told in 20 years and we think of 2026. We'll think of Lionel Messi, we'll think of Erling Haaland, Mbappe, Kate Verde, Vizinha, Scottish fans, the world coming and falling in love with Bucky's Nuggets. That's what we'll remember. And if the US team are remembered as a narrative, it will be for the way we got Flo Baligan, whose name is forever going to be connected with this. Not his fault. And I feel for him whenever he takes the field, even if he goes on to score 100 goals. When he's mentioned Balogan, oh, that guy Balogate. That's what he'll be connected to. But we'll be remembered in this for the way we got our striker back from a ban in unprecedented fashion and turned the world against us and then failed immediately.
[28:13]
Herculez Gomez
I cannot disagree with the word you said and I feel for Flo. Flo, if anything, emerges an absolute star, bonafide star and looked like an all around good guy. His comments after the red card were about how he wanted to be a good role model, how he didn't react, how he didn't do anything publicly because he knows that kids are watching and he wants to be good for those people and that here he is being utilized in some manner that is unbefitting.
[28:38]
Roger Bennett
He didn't want to be the center of this stuff. Him going up to Rudy Garcia, the Belgian manager, after the game and making peace, apologizing almost. That is a man, that is a great human being. How you act in times of challenge defines you. So much love, so much respect. I can't imagine what he's feeling today. I want to bring this to a close here, but I want to list some players. You tell me if they'll be on the roster in 20, 30. Quick rip round. Are you ready for this?
[29:03]
Herculez Gomez
Yeah.
[29:04]
Roger Bennett
Gio Reyna.
[29:04]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:05]
Roger Bennett
Matt Fries.
[29:06]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:06]
Roger Bennett
Anthony Robinson will be 32.
[29:08]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:08]
Roger Bennett
Sergino Des, 29.
[29:10]
Herculez Gomez
Yes.
[29:10]
Roger Bennett
Tyler Adams, 31.
[29:12]
Herculez Gomez
I don't think his body will allow it.
[29:14]
Roger Bennett
Please God, be there. Please God, be the captain. Weston McKinney, he too. 31.
[29:19]
Herculez Gomez
No.
[29:19]
Roger Bennett
I think it's up to Weston's mentality, how he chooses to approach it. Kavan Sullivan, He'll No. Chris. Ooh.
[29:26]
Herculez Gomez
Why we are over Americanizing Sullivan here. He's not played in first Division yet. We're already throwing him to the World Cup.
[29:33]
Roger Bennett
Freddie Adu, will he be there?
[29:34]
Herculez Gomez
He'll be what, 29?
[29:36]
Roger Bennett
26, maybe. Julian Green, he'll be there. We don't have to talk about him. He'll be on again. Christian pulisic, he'll be 31.
[29:42]
Herculez Gomez
No. Because something tells me he's gonna be like John o'. Brien. He's gonna, you know, it's a bright star that kind of fades away and does his own thing.
[29:50]
Roger Bennett
Tim Ream, 63 years of age. Yes, he will be there, won't he? Captain?
[29:56]
Herculez Gomez
Most likely. That's why he'll be.
[29:57]
Roger Bennett
There we go again. Quick word on Mexico. Fallout. They went out with fight pride. Stunning heavyweight rumble.
[30:03]
Herculez Gomez
Very proud moment for the Mexican people in what was a very dark chapter in their sporting history. Coming off the worst pool of players that I've seen in my lifetime. Javier Aguirre being the third coach in their cycle. And they get to where they did and brought back the mystique of Azteca. They that game, England versus Mexico. The English tell me if I'm wrong. We'll be talking about that game for decades. Harry Kane may do a documentary in his life and talk about the turning point that was for England and for himself.
[30:30]
Roger Bennett
That game, 100%. I mean, that was a game. So many of them in this tournament that will be talked about with joy that we got to witness this in the sprinkler. And I want to be totally clear, and I want to have you end with a positive. If there's anything we can take from this hurk, any light in the darkness, for me, it is that we are without the U.S. the World cup is massive. America is enraptured. We still get to see Mbappe and Haaland and Messi, you know, and this English team dragged their carcass to Miami and see if there's any energy left. But we have been blessed to see so many almost biblical miracles. You're right. We have seen so many things that would be talked about for generations. The US have just failed to create theirs completely and utterly. Herc, last word to you. What can we take as a light in the darkness in this moment?
[31:19]
Herculez Gomez
Take the rebirth that will be for U.S. soccer. I truly believe this. The U.S. the United States of America, does not like to be embarrassed in the global stage. I do think there will be repercussions. I do think there will be a rebirth. Resources tossed in in a different mentality going forward. And it may take time, but I do think this ultimately will make the United States better for it.
[31:40]
Roger Bennett
That's reboot 4.0 of the last five has begun for me as a tweet from onaldcook jr. Late, late, late, late, late last night tweeted me and said, Only 1432 days until the next World Cup. Rog. Godspeed that. You know, immediately I got. I'm like, okay, so you're telling me there's a chance. Herc, we will keep chatting all the way through this. I'm just so sorry that we will not have a US Men's national team narrative to talk about. It is a human agony. Just a wasted opportunity. Again, gone too soon. You're a beautiful human being. Big, big love. Enjoy, Messi. Enjoy all that is to come. Courage.
[32:23]
Herculez Gomez
I appreciate you, Raj.

Herc Gomez on USMNT’s Painful Exit Against Belgium: Men in Blazers 07/07/26

Herc Gomez on USMNT’s Painful Exit Against Belgium: Men in Blazers 07/07/26

Men In Blazers: Herc Gomez on USMNT’s Painful Exit Against Belgium (07/07/2026)

Episode Overview

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The End of the Road: Emotional Fallout (01:00–02:32)

2. Diagnosis in a Word, and the Cosmic Weight (02:32–03:11)

3. Christian Pulisic: A Legacy Unfulfilled? (02:40–05:37)

4. Coach Mauricio Pochettino: Stay or Go? (05:37–07:07)

5. Why Did It Fall Apart? (07:07–09:08)

6. Player Ratings: Tournament Grades & Honest Words (09:08–17:53)

Selected Ratings and Quotes:

7. The Round of 16 Ceiling & Systemic Shortcomings (19:00–21:37)

8. “Why Never Us?”: A Moment for National Reflection (21:10–23:05)

9. Highs, Lows & Legacy (24:19–28:37)

10. The Future: 2030 Core—Who Makes It? (28:37–29:56)

11. A Brighter Side: Mexico’s Different Exit (29:56–30:29)

12. Searching for Light: The Need for Rebirth (31:19–32:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

Conclusion

Men In Blazers: Herc Gomez on USMNT’s Painful Exit Against Belgium (07/07/2026)

Episode Overview

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The End of the Road: Emotional Fallout (01:00–02:32)

2. Diagnosis in a Word, and the Cosmic Weight (02:32–03:11)

3. Christian Pulisic: A Legacy Unfulfilled? (02:40–05:37)

4. Coach Mauricio Pochettino: Stay or Go? (05:37–07:07)

5. Why Did It Fall Apart? (07:07–09:08)

6. Player Ratings: Tournament Grades & Honest Words (09:08–17:53)

Selected Ratings and Quotes:

7. The Round of 16 Ceiling & Systemic Shortcomings (19:00–21:37)

8. “Why Never Us?”: A Moment for National Reflection (21:10–23:05)

9. Highs, Lows & Legacy (24:19–28:37)

10. The Future: 2030 Core—Who Makes It? (28:37–29:56)

11. A Brighter Side: Mexico’s Different Exit (29:56–30:29)

12. Searching for Light: The Need for Rebirth (31:19–32:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

Conclusion