local
Same old story: US men's soccer team has been stagnant for quarter century
By Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 5 min read
For all the growth in American soccer over the past quarter-century, the U.S. men's national team remains stagnant.Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie fared no better at the World Cup in 2022 and 2026 than Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore did in 2010 and 2014.“We want ...
Key takeaway “We want to be able to go and compete with some of the best in the world and we just still have that next step to come,” Pulisic said after Monday night's error-filled 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The stagnant performance of the US men's national soccer team has implications for local soccer enthusiasts in Piney Point Village , who have been investing time and interest in the sport. As the team struggles to advance beyond the round of 16 in the World Cup, local fans may be wondering what this means for the growth of soccer in their community. The emergence of players like Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, who have increased their value to the team, could inspire young soccer players in Piney Point Village to strive for excellence. However, the team's overall lack of progress may also affect local interest and participation in the sport. As the US team looks to the future, with the next World Cup just four years away, local fans will be watching to see if the team can finally take the next step and become a competitive force on the global stage.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For all the growth in American soccer over the past quarter-century, the U.S. men's national team remains stagnant.Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie fared no better at the World Cup in 2022 and 2026 than Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore did in 2010 and 2014.“We want ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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