local
Same old story: US men's soccer team has been stagnant for quarter century
By Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· 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 San Antonio
The stagnant performance of the US men's national soccer team has significant implications for San Antonio 's own soccer community. As a city with a growing interest in the sport, the lack of progress at the national level may impact local investment and enthusiasm. With the team's consistent elimination in the round of 16, it's likely that San Antonio's own soccer initiatives, such as youth development programs and local leagues, may face challenges in attracting and retaining top talent. The emergence of players like Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, however, offers a glimmer of hope for the future of American soccer. As these players potentially move to bigger clubs, they may inspire a new generation of San Antonio soccer players, and their success could have a positive impact on the local soccer scene. The city's soccer fans will be watching closely to see if the team can finally break through to the next level.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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