The game begins at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Network.
Malik Tillman’s free kick goal in the 81st minute of the U.S's round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina last Wednesday was enough to clinch a victory and send the stars and stripes forward to the next round.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina match is the first U.S. World Cup knockout stage win since the 2002 World Cup, when it defeated Mexico 2-0 in what is now known as one of the most iconic moments in USMNT history.
But the players on the squad have admitted that they cannot do it alone.
Starting Goalkeeper Matt Freese grew up Catholic, and he told Sports Spectrum that it's his reliance on faith has continued in his professional career.
“I say it out loud, I always remind myself God's got me. God's got me and is looking over me. God's giving (me) so many opportunities within this game and within my career. I still have a role to play in that; I still must do my part,” he said.
Freese is not the only player on the squad to speak out about their faith. Arguably the face of the program, Christian Pulisic often times posts his bible readings to his social media. Midfielder Weston Mckenne's Instagram bio reads "All glory to God."
However, one thing that has fueled the stars and stripes through this tournament is the support they have gotten from the home fans. The U.S. fans have been showing up to the matches and really getting behind the team.
And after every match, the whole stadium breaks out into a karaoke session of thousands to "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver.
There's no doubt that when the game kicks off against Belgium today, the USMNT will once again have the backing of Americans all over the world.
There is added intrigue for tonight’s game.
President Donald Trump inserted himself into the World Cup when he directly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card suspension issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun during the win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia-Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
FIFA officials announced Sunday they were reversing the Balogun’s suspension.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has declared it is "investigating all potential options" to challenge the ruling. Belgium argues the decision contradicts Article 66.4 (automatic suspension) and Article 10.5 of the Competition Regulations. Additionally, UEFA has issued a statement condemning the move, asserting that FIFA "crossed a red line" by allowing political intervention to override standard disciplinary procedures.
However, no legal injunction or stay has been granted at this time that would prevent Balogun from taking the field tonight.
“It’s turned into a big controversy because Donald Trump is involved,” Jon Root, a sports and political commentator, said on American Family Radio Monday.
Wrong from the start
Most analysts say the call on the field against Balogun was incorrect from the beginning, Root told show host Jenna Ellis.
Trump didn’t actually threaten FIFA officials, Root said.
“Everything that I'm hearing, Trump did not pressure the FIFA president. It sounded like more like a call where it's like ‘hey can you explain to me why exactly this was a red card in the first place?’” Root said.
Many Trump opponents are with him on this one, Root said.
“People even on the Left and left-wing sports media are admitting, ‘yeah Trump wasn't actually trying to blackmail FIFA, he wasn't trying to pressure them in a way, but obviously was standing up for an injustice, and this injustice has been made right.”
