The score aside, there was something different about this United States performance.

After Pochettino managed to shake off the underdog mentality, they played with arrogance early in the tournament, attacking teams in such an impressive manner that it made fans believe their team could upset the odds in this tournament.

“We’re going to win the World Cup,” one fan predicted before the game, and his confidence was not alone among the fans who had gathered outside the Seattle stadium in the hours before kickoff.

Many were also very happy that their in-form striker Balogun had been cleared to play despite receiving a straight red card for a foul against Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the previous round.

FIFA made the shocking decision to suspend an automatic 12-month match ban, prompting widespread criticism, including from UEFA, Belgium and England coach Thomas Tuchel.

The issue went straight to the top of American politics, with President Donald Trump saying on Monday that he had asked FIFA to review the decision because he “didn’t believe it was a mistake.”

Balogun, who had scored three goals at the World Cup, started against Belgium but struggled to make an impact.

Asked afterwards if he had been affected by being the focus of much of the attention in the build-up, American coach Pochettino said: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day.”

“But on a personal level, what’s the point of insulting people or receiving a lot of bad messages?

“It is a rule that the federation must apply and try to [to overturn the ban]. My position was to coach the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allows you to have the player, it is not a problem.

“I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, they talk about ethics and integrity. [first]. “If we talk about the history of this game, I feel disappointed on a personal level.”

Belgian coach Rudi Garcia revealed that Balogun approached him immediately after the match.

“It’s not his fault, he’s not to blame and that’s what I told him,” he said.