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 Pearland
For Pearland residents who follow soccer, the US men's national team's stagnant performance is a disappointment, but it also presents an opportunity for local youth soccer programs to step up and develop the next generation of players. With the team's struggles, there may be a renewed focus on grassroots development, which could benefit local soccer clubs and organizations in Brazoria County. The emergence of players like Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, who have gained international recognition, could also inspire young players in Pearland to work towards representing the US national team in the future. As the team looks to rebuild and move forward, local soccer fans will be watching to see if any players with ties to the Houston area will be part of the squad, and if the team's performance will have any impact on the growth of soccer in the local community.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 Pearland 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 Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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