As the United States advances to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup, the country's soccer fans are on the cusp of a reality check. The team's impressive performance in the group stage has sparked widespread optimism, but now the stakes are higher and the competition is fiercer. The knockout stage, which begins with the Round of 16, is where dreams are made and broken, and the margin for error is razor-thin. With the pressure mounting, the US team will be put to the test as they face off against a formidable opponent, leaving fans wondering if their team's momentum can translate into a deeper run in the tournament.
The United States has spent the last two weeks building belief. Now comes the part of the World Cup where belief no longer matters.
