The U.S. had a golden opportunity for a soccer breakthrough. Now it must wait four more years.

After a stellar start to the World Cup, the U.S. was overmatched against Belgium in a 4-1 loss. Now Mauricio Pochettino’s team must wait four years to prove it belongs with the elite soccer countries.

SEATTLE — The U.S. men’s soccer team entered the World Cup’s round of 16 looking as though it had an edge on the rest of the soccer world.

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