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The U.S. men's national team now faces its most daunting challenge: the round of 16 at the World Cup.
Since 2002, the USMNT has failed to advance beyond the round of 16 at the World Cup, and merely reaching that stage — even in the expanded 48-team format — was widely considered the absolute minimum expectation for 2026. Yet, given how convincingly the Stars and Stripes topped Group D and dispatched Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, genuine belief has emerged that the Americans could go all the way.
The USMNT has cleared the round of 16 just once, 24 years ago, during the team's only run to the quarterfinals. That year, the U.S. eliminated Concacaf rival Mexico before being knocked out by Germany in the quarterfinals. Historically, the USMNT's finest World Cup performance came in their semifinal run at the inaugural 1930 edition, though that 13-team tournament only entered the knockout phase at the final four.
Following the 2–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, belief in the USMNT making history on home soil is running high; however, the team must do so without leading scorer Folarin Balogun. The prolific striker will miss the round of 16 after receiving a contentious red card in the round of 32.
Without the player who has netted three of the USMNT's 10 tournament goals, here are three players who could step up and fill that enormous void.
Ricardo Pepi
The most natural replacement for the USMNT would be Ricardo Pepi, who got three minutes of action against Bosnia and Herzegovina as a late, lively substitute. The 23-year-old is appearing at his second World Cup and has long been regarded as an important attacking option. He has, however, been inconsistent in front of goal at the international level.
While Balogun suits manager Mauricio Pochettino's system well, Pepi's limited defensive work rate has seen him lose ground in the battle for the starting spot. His goal threat and attacking qualities are comparable to Balogun's — though he is considerably more one-dimensional and lacks the same physical presence.
In the 2026-27 season, Pepi registered 19 goals and two assists for PSV Eindhoven across 31 appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League, compiling those impressive figures after bouncing back from a broken arm and additional injuries. It was a remarkable return and one that put him firmly in contention for a USMNT starting berth heading into the summer.
The tactical shift would likely involve playing low, threaded passes for Pepi's longer stride to run onto, with the aim of getting in behind Belgium's Arthur Theate and Brandon Mechele at center back. Fortunately, Pepi will be well-rested, while the Belgian defensive line is coming off an exhausting 120 minutes against Senegal.
The former FC Dallas forward may not be as dynamic or well-rounded as Balogun, but he is undeniably a goal threat, having found the net 13 times in 40 appearances for the USMNT.
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Haji Wright
If the USMNT is looking for greater physicality and a profile closer to Balogun's, Wright is the obvious candidate. The Coventry City striker is set for a Premier League move next season after bagging 17 goals in 31 games to help his club win the English Championship and secure promotion to one of the world's elite leagues.
An imposing presence, he would bring a stronger build and a threat in the air, though he lacks the pace of either Pepi or Balogun. That physicality, however, could allow him to start and grind down the Belgian defenders, before Pepi or other attackers potentially exploit the space created.
The primary concern surrounding him is fitness and sharpness, particularly in the summer heat. He has not played more than 70 minutes since Coventry's 3–1 win over Wrexham on April 26 and has not featured for more than 15 minutes since May 2.
Brenden Aaronson... With Some Adjustments
Brenden Aaronson is not a striker. He also struggled in the USMNT's defeat to Türkiye, where he played 76 minutes. Yet, with some tactical tweaks, he could be the answer.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
A versatile attacking option with Leeds United in the Premier League, he is no stranger to high-pressure moments given the demands of playing in England. He could shift to the left wing while Christian Pulisic steps into a center-forward role, allowing the team to begin the match without a traditional striker.
It would be an unconventional move for Pochettino, and an unlikely one at that. Nevertheless, it represents just one of the inventive solutions the Argentine coach could devise — one that might not only present a dangerous tactical look but also take Belgium completely by surprise.