The United States men's national soccer team can't hide from criticism following Monday's World Cup loss to Belgium.
The U.S. again couldn't advance past the round of 16, falling 4-1 at Seattle. Canadians broadcasters didn't hold back as Belgium sent the USMNT packing.
TSN's Steven Caldwell and Kevin Kilbane ripped the USMNT as the match ended, and neither broadcaster seemed particularly surprised by the final outcome.
"When it was a big stage, when they were playing against the proper team, they completely failed," Caldwell said.
"This team is so overhyped, and this is the thing that we said coming into the tournament," Kilbane responded. "We were questioning them. The teams that they beat in this tournament they should’ve beat, and then they lost to Turkey and have been demolished by Belgium here today. Outclassed in every department. They've been schooled by a top-class side."
"This is what they are"
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Kilbane and Caldwell kept piling on after Monday's embarrassing elimination. Via the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley, Kilbane suggested the USMNT entered the contest overconfident after winning three of four matches to start the World Cup.
"Do you think they were smelling themselves?" Kilbane asked. “They were actually thinking they were going to go on and win this World Cup. They believed they could go all the way. But this is the level. This is what they are."
Caldwell suggested that despite considerable buzz building around the USMNT, they were never on par with the World Cup's true contenders.
"It's hard to explain how bad they are at this level," Caldwell said. "They made multiple mistakes on all of the goals. Real terrible stuff. I have to say I haven't seen such terrible defending in this tournament. At this level you can’t make these mistakes. You just embarrass yourself."
Kilbane again argued that too much attention went to the U.S. ahead of Monday's reality check.
"That’s when the hype of all hype trains began," Kilbane said. "Right from the opening whistle, they were second best. They were completely outplayed in every way. This has to be recognized as a failure for them. Everyone was terrible. Nowhere near the level."
