The U.S. men’s national soccer team was eliminated from the World Cup in a tough 4-1 loss Monday night to Belgium in the round of 16 of the world soccer tournament.

Belgium defeated the United States in a match held in front of a full house at the Seattle Stadium. The game is expected to garner NFL-level ratings in the US, as viewership for the World Cup tournament has steadily increased for Fox Sports and Telemundo/Peacock. The 39-day competition began on June 11 and will conclude on July 19.

The U.S. men’s team was hoping to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The team’s July 1 victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina helped generate excitement for the tournament and generate interest among American spectators as the tournament takes place in 11 U.S. cities as well as venues in Canada and Mexico.

The US men’s team had high hopes of making great strides in men’s soccer. The American women have claimed victories in the Women’s World Cup four times, in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019.

Commentators were quick to praise the US men’s team for capturing the public’s imagination and featuring stars such as Malik Tillman, who scored Team USA’s only goal of the game, as well as Folarin Balogun, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams, among others.

Mauricio Pochettino, coach of the US team, was forceful in his post-match interview with Fox Sports. He said the team that played Monday night did not show the same skill and coordination that allowed them to advance beyond the group stage rounds last month. Belgium took an early lead and kept the momentum going for the rest of the match.

“It is not to look for excuses or arguments. We do not present ourselves as the team that presented itself.” [earlier in the tournament]. That is a reality,” Pochettino told Fox Sports. “We need to evaluate the game and why we don’t approach it in the same way.” He added that ultimately he is “the one responsible.”

Fox Sports commentator Carli Lloyd, a member of winning Women’s World Cup teams and a retired professional soccer player, echoed the coach’s sentiments about the team’s struggle on Monday.

“They lost the game before they even took the field, and I’m not sure why,” Lloyd said. “This is a really disappointing loss.”

(Pictured: Belgium’s Youri Tielemans and American player Malik Tillman, who scored the only goal of the match for Team USA.)