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Down Goes Schwarber

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PHILADELPHIA – (Wire Service Report) – Not even the partisan Philadelphia Phillies fans could get St. Louis Cardinals breakout star Jordan Walker out of his groove when it mattered most.

Walker homered on his last four swings to extend his final round and pull off a shocking victory over hometown hero Kyle Schwarber, finishing the round with 12 homers to Schwarber’s 11 to capture the 2026 Home Run Derby on Monday night.

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Walker had arguably the best performance in every stage of the event, tying the Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras with 13 blasts in Round 1, then besting Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero with several swings to spare in the semifinal.

But he needed a little extra in the final round, silencing 43,863 booing fans by taking advantage of the event’s magenta ball rule that allowed hitters to extend their stay at the plate if they homered on their final swing, given bonus swings until a ball fell short of the fences.

It was just another exceptional moment in the 24-year-old Walker’s first career All-Star campaign that has included 22 home runs and an MLB-best 74 RBIs.

For Schwarber, it was eerily reminiscent of his first Derby appearance eight years ago, when now-Philadelphia teammate Bryce Harper went on a similarly exceptional late run to win the 2018 event in front of his then-hometown Washington fans.

The 33-year-old Schwarber also added a bonus home run in his final round, and when it was over, he raised his arms skyward to the delight of the crowd, perhaps believing he’d done enough.

Harper also competed again, but only homered only eight times in the 20-swing first round, one of four who failed to make the cut.

Schwarber defeated Contreras by one homer with nine in his semifinal, while Walker made easy work of Caminero in the other.

In the first round, Contreras and Walker each clubbed 13 homers, while Caminero had 12 and Schwarber hit 10 to round out the top four.

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami (nine), the Kansas City Royals’ Jac Caglianone (eight) and the New York Yankees’ Ben Rice (seven) joined Harper among those eliminated in the first round.

Schwarber needed a late surge in the first round to qualify for the latter stages, but was in his element once he got there.

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With three swings to go in his semifinal against Contreras, he raised an arm to implore the crowd for more noise, then clubbed his eighth and ninth homers. Those fans then cheered every Contreras miss, eventually roaring approval when he fell one short of forcing a tiebreaker.

Caminero had the evening’s longest home run at 491 feet in his semifinal. And while Caglianone did not move on, he became the first hitter to touch the third deck in right field since Phillies legend Ryan Howard did it on a 2009 grand slam.

In the city of Rocky Balboa, Joe Frazier and Bernard Hopkins, Philadelphia leaned into its combative spirit from the start.

Famous boxing master of ceremonies Michael Buffer introduced the eight contestants, who strode into a makeshift ring at second base, as the crowd booed everyone but their hometown heroes.

–Ian Nicholas Quillen, Field Level Media

Phillies’ Sanchez Will Start All-Stars Up

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PHILADELPHIA – (Wire Service Report) – In a time when it’s becoming increasingly common for players to opt out of the All-Star Game, the starting pitchers in Tuesday night’s Summer Classic still see the occasion as career-defining.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez will be the first hurler to the hill when the National League takes the field, followed by Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease in the bottom half of the inning for the American League.

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The 29-year-old Sanchez, appearing in his second All-Star Game and finishing as the 2025 NL Cy Young runner-up in between, even said this moment on Broad Street might be his best.

“So far, yes, I think that this could be described as the best moment in my career,” said Sanchez through an interpreter in Monday’s press conference. “And I want to give full credit to God for me being able to be here, thanks to him. And it’s just a result of a lot of discipline and a lot of hard work that we put throughout the season.”

At least a handful of All-Star honorees declined invites despite not currently being on the injured list, mostly citing fatigue or minor health issues.

But Sanchez has been a paragon of durability for some time and is on pace to exceed 30 starts for a third consecutive season, having already taken the ball 20 times in 2026 (tying for most in the majors) while pitching to a 2.62 ERA.

That consistency becomes even more impressive considering three consecutive postseasons with extra work. He was the victim of hard luck last year, settling for a pair of no-decisions in eventual Philadelphia losses to Los Angeles in the NLDS, despite allowing only three runs in 12 innings of work.

Tuesday might mean even more, he suggested, saying he would perform on behalf of his father, who could not attend and remains in his native Dominican Republic.

“I just dedicate this performance to him, dedicate this whole event to him,” Sanchez said. “And I love you a lot. And all that I’ve been able to do throughout my life, both on and off the field, it’s because of you.”

Cease is improbably making his first All-Star appearance despite being a regular in Cy Young conversations for several years.

It was an honor the right-hander and much of baseball thought he deserved in 2022, when he pitched to a 2.20 ERA and a runner-up AL Cy Young finish. He was 7-4 with a 2.45 ERA when pitching staffs were announced on July 10 of that year.

“I was definitely upset in 2022,” said Cease, who has a 2.56 ERA and AL-best 148 strikeouts so far in his first season in Toronto. “Four years later, I don’t know if it was still fueling me, but I feel like getting to start my first one maybe made up for it. Yeah, that was disappointing, but this is such a cool experience.”

In his fourth time taking charge of the NL, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts regularly manages the biggest star who opted out.

Two-way talent Shohei Ohtani skipped his last pitching start on Friday night to rest an ailing left knee, at that point deciding not to attend the All-Star Game. He still served as designated hitter through the weekend for Los Angeles.

Roberts said he understands players’ decisions but always pushes them to show up if they can.

“It’s a huge honor to be named an All-Star, to be able to participate in this game,” Roberts said. “I didn’t have that. I wasn’t a good enough player to be an All-Star.

“The way the world is, the game is now where there’s rest, recovery, injuries, which are certainly validated. I still try to encourage players to participate because it is for the fans. It’s a fans’ game. And to be able to showcase your talents in front of everyone — it’s a special moment.”

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout is slated to lead off for the AL in his first appearance in the contest since 2019 due to injuries. Trout grew up roughly 45 miles away in Millville, N.J.

National League starting lineup:
1. Kyle Schwarber, Phillies, DH
2. Juan Soto, Mets, LF
3. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers, 1B
4. CJ Abrams, Nationals, SS
5. Max Muncy, Dodgers, 3B
6. Ozzie Albies, Braves, 2B
7. Brandon Marsh, Phillies, RF
8. Andy Pages, Dodgers, CF
9. Drake Baldwin, Braves, C

American League starting lineup:
1. Mike Trout, Angels, CF
2. Yordan Alvarez, Astros, DH
3. Shea Langeliers, Athletics, C
4. Junior Caminero, Rays, 3B
5. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals, SS
6. Cody Bellinger, Yankees, RF
7. Ben Rice, Yankees, 1B
8. Riley Greene, Tigers, LF
9. Ernie Clement, Blue Jays, 2B

– Field Level Media

Is Schwarber the One?

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PHILADELPHIA – (Wire Service Report) – Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber is a popular favorite ahead of Monday night’s Home Run Derby in his home ballpark.

Schwarber opened as the +350 favorite at BetMGM, with his odds shortening further to +310 while being backed by 24.8% of the total bets and 29.1% of all money wagered on the Derby winner. Schwarber leads the eight Derby participants with 32 home runs entering the All-Star break.

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That’s three more than the New York Yankees’ Ben Rice and four more than the Tampa Bay Rays’ Junior Caminero.

HOME RUN DERBY ODDS*
Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), +310
Junior Caminero (Rays), +425
Munetaka Murakami (White Sox), +475
Jac Caglianone (Royals), +650
Jordan Walker (Cardinals), +750
Bryce Harper (Phillies), +850
Ben Rice (Yankees), +850
Willson Contreras (Red Sox), +1500
*BetMGM

Schwarber is the book’s biggest liability, followed by Harper and Caminero, who is second with 16.6% of all bets and 17.2% of all money backing him to win. Harper is third with 16.1% and 14.4%, respectively.

Rice has seen the biggest odds shift, moving from +1100 to +850 since the market opened. Walker, who opened at +600, and Contreras, who opened at +1100, are the only two participants whose odds have lengthened.

The Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park begins at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix.

BATTING ORDER
1. Contreras (20 Home Runs)
2. Walker (22)
3. Caglianone (15)
4. Schwarber (32)
5. Rice (29)
6. Caminero (28)
7. Murakami (20)
8. Harper (20)

–Field Level Media

Nine Lives

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FLUSHING – (Wire Service Report) – Anthony Siegler had the tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the 10th inning Sunday for the visiting Boston Red Sox, who won their ninth straight game by edging the New York Mets 3-2 in the finale of a three-game interleague series.

The Red Sox forced extras in the ninth, when Andrew Monasterio had a bases-loaded walk and Jarren Duran had an RBI single. Connor Wong led off the 10th by sacrificing Masataka Yoshida to third before Siegler followed with a fly ball three pitches later against Brooks Raley (4-4).

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Monasterio, Duran, Connor Wong and Cedanne Rafaela had one hit each for the Red Sox, whose winning streak is their longest since a 10-game run last July.

This winning streak has been built entirely on the road by the Red Sox, who swept three-game sets from the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox before never trailing the Mets Friday or Saturday.

Aroldis Chapman (1-3) worked around Jared Young’s one-out single in the ninth and Garrett Whitlock notched his second save by retiring all three batters in the 10th.

Francisco Lindor had a run-scoring double in the first and homered in the sixth before his one-out error extended the ninth inning for the Mets, who fell to 4-7 this month.

Red Sox starter Peyton Tolle allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven over 3 2/3 innings.

Mets rookie Zach Thornton, pitching in the majors for the first time since June 26, gave up two hits and walked two while striking out five over seven innings. Thornton didn’t allow a hit until Monasterio doubled to left field with one out in the fifth.

Luke Weaver threw a 1-2-3 eighth before Rafaela began the Red Sox’s comeback by singling to lead off the ninth against closer Devin Williams, who got Wilyer Abreu to pop out before Romy Gonzalez grounded to short.

 

Every Sinner has a Future

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LONDON – (Wire Service Report) – Italy’s Jannik Sinner found another Wimbledon title waiting on the other side of disappointment in Paris.

The world No. 1 successfully defended his championship at the All England Club on Sunday, rallying past Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court. Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title came in his first tournament since a second-round collapse at the French Open ended his 30-match winning streak.

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It marked the second straight year the Italian star responded to a painful Roland Garros exit by lifting the trophy in London. Last year, Sinner arrived at Wimbledon after letting three championship points slip away against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the French Open final.

“There is no better place to play tennis,” Sinner said afterward. “You can feel the nerves Sunday morning waking up and it is a very special day and you never know how many times you will be able to come back on Sunday, so I never take things for granted.”

Zverev gave Sinner little room early Sunday. The German repeatedly leaned on his serve and captured a tight opening-set tiebreaker, ending a run of 14 consecutive sets lost to Sinner.

Sinner answered by taking control of the second tiebreaker. The first break point for either player did not arrive until the third set, more than 2 1/2 hours into the match.

That game also raised the biggest concern of the final. Zverev slipped behind the baseline while trying to change direction on a Sinner drop shot and grabbed his right knee. He kept playing after Sinner crossed the net to help him up, but soon missed a forehand, losing the first break of the match and falling behind 5-3.

Sinner served out the third set, then struck again in the fourth. He held the advantage until match point, when a forehand winner down the line ended the contest and sent him onto his back on the grass in celebration.

“It has been an amazing final once again and it always takes two players and Sascha (Zverev’s nickname) and I tried to give everything we had,” Sinner said. “I am very happy about the win, but also the level that we both played.”

Sinner had a 58-49 edge in winners and committed just 25 unforced errors to Zverev’s 45.

The victory extended Sinner’s winning streak against Zverev to 10 matches and made him the 10th man in the Open Era to successfully defend the Wimbledon singles title.

“I’m very happy that I’m trying to do my best every day,” Sinner said. “Sometimes you have a tournament with a good outcome, and sometimes you just don’t.

“There is no failure if you don’t win a Grand Slam. Now I have five in my whole life. We talk about five Grand Slams, but that’s five days out of so many other days. These are very, very rare days.

“You just want to enjoy it. Today was a very tough day. If I lose, it’s still a great day. Playing a Grand Slam final, it’s so rare and so special.”

Zverev was looking for his second straight major championship. He won the French Open last month.

“At 29 years old, this is the first time that I believe I can actually win this trophy,” Zverev said of the Wimbledon hardware. “… We had a pretty good two months even though we lost this final. An amazing two months.”

–Field Level Media

Nine in a Row? Can It Be True?

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FLUSHING (Wire Service Report) – The last time the Boston Red Sox won nine straight games on the road, it was 1977 and their stars were named Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski and Carlton Fisk.

Back in the 2026 playoff hunt going into the All-Star break, Boston will try to not just sweep the weekend series with the New York Mets on Sunday, it will also attempt to polish off a 9-0 road trip. The eight-game win streak started with three-contest sweeps at the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox before arriving in New York.

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The Red Sox kept rolling Saturday with a 4-0 win as fill-in starter Eduardo Rivera fired 3 2/3 innings and allowed only one hit. Boston interim manager Chad Tracy opted for a bullpen game instead of starting Brayan Bello, and five relievers teamed for a three-hitter, the team’s ninth shutout of the year.

“It feels good, obviously,” Tracy said of the difference between this stretch and most of the season. “You could feel the vibes at times. We were struggling to score and things didn’t feel good. Now we’re doing a fantastic job.”

As is often the case when teams get on a roll, Boston is receiving contributions up and down the roster. Andruw Monasterio and Masataka Yoshida each belted two-run homers on Saturday to support the pitching staff’s efforts.

Each homer scored Chad Durbin, who batted cleanup for the first time this year. Durbin normally bats lower but Tracy didn’t make a big deal of moving him up to a glamour spot in the order.

“Just take your at-bats,” he said. “You get on base and try to make it as good as you can.”

Rookie left-hander Payton Tolle (5-6, 3.14 ERA) attempts to help Boston complete the perfect road trip in the series finale. He’s coming off an 8-1 win Tuesday night at the Chicago White Sox, yielding just two hits and a walk in six scoreless innings while fanning six. This will be his first career outing against the Mets.

New York will turn to Zach Thornton (0-1, 4.35) for his third career start. The rookie lefty last pitched on June 26, receiving a no-decision in a 2-1 home loss to Philadelphia despite allowing only five hits and a run in six innings with a walk and seven strikeouts.

Interim manager Andy Green was impressed with how Thornton did not back down from hitters in his two big league starts.

“Most days, he’s gonna fill up the strike zone and he’s gonna attack,” Green said. “He’s unafraid, he’s gonna give you what he’s got, he’s gonna step on the mound and he’s gonna be aggressive.”

Given how little New York has done with the bats in the first two games, Thornton might need to be outstanding. The Mets have managed just two runs, both on Friday, and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Saturday while stranding nine men.

Offense has been an issue for New York. It ranks 26th in the majors in batting average (.234), 28th in on-base percentage (.304) and 27th in slugging (.381). Injuries to projected mainstays like shortstop Bo Bichette and second baseman Marcus Semien haven’t helped.

Bichette (ankle) was able to serve as a pinch hitter Saturday and drew a walk. He could play Sunday, while Semien (hip) will likely remain out until early August.

–Field Level Media

Seven Straight for the Red Sox

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FLUSHING – (Wire Service Report) – Wilyer Abreu had three hits, including a two-run homer, Friday night as the Boston Red Sox capped an eventful day by beating the host New York Mets 6-2 in the opener of a three-game interleague series.

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The first pitch was pushed back from 7:15 to 7:51 p.m. ET after the Red Sox didn’t land at nearby LaGuardia Airport until after 4 p.m. ET. Boston’s flight out of Chicago was delayed almost 24 hours due to multiple mechanical issues on the club’s charter plane.

Anthony Seigler was 2-for-5 with a two-run homer for the Red Sox, who won their seventh straight. Masataka Yoshida was 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double while Tsung-Che Cheng also had two hits.

Sonny Gray (11-1) won his ninth straight decision after giving up one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings.

Brett Baty homered and went 3-for-4 as he extended his career-long hitting streak to 10 games for the Mets, who lost for the second time in six games. New York scored 42 runs in its previous five contests.

Juan Soto had a sacrifice fly while Jared Young and A.J. Ewing finished with two hits apiece.

Starter Nolan McLean (6-6) allowed two unearned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings.

Seigler’s leadoff fly to left glanced off the glove of Soto for a two-base error. Seigler went to third on a bunt by Ceddanne Rafaela and Abreu walked before both runners scored on Yoshida’s two-out double down the third base line.

The Mets built a run in the third. Baty singled and stole second before Zack Short worked a walk. Baty went to third when Short was forced on Ewing’s grounder and raced home on Soto’s fly to left.

Seigler hit a two-run shot just fair down the left field line against A.J. Minter in the seventh. Abreu hit his two-run homer off Cionel Perez in the ninth.

Baty homered with two outs in the ninth.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Keep on Rolling

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CHICAGO – (Wire Service Report) – Caleb Durbin hit a two-run home run and Patrick Sandoval pitched effectively in his return as the visiting Boston Red Sox edged the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

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Durbin delivered the only extra-base hit among Boston’s four hits when he connected for a two-run blast against Anthony Kay in the fourth inning. It proved enough support for Sandoval and four relievers, boosting Boston to its sixth straight victory and 11th win in the past 13 games.

Chicago collected seven hits but fell into a tie with the Cleveland Guardians atop the American League Central with its sixth loss in eight games. The White Sox were swept at home for the third time this season and first since April 14-16 against Tampa Bay,

Sandoval started and worked 4 1/3 strong innings in his club debut and first major league action since June 21, 2024, with the Los Angeles Angels.

Recovered from Tommy John surgery and other injuries, Sandoval was activated from the 60-day injured list on Monday. The left-hander threw 65 pitches, spacing one run and five hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Sandoval was charged with his lone run in the fifth, as Andrew Benintendi grounded a pinch-hit RBI single to greet reliever Tyron Guerrero. The hit scored Luisangel Acuna, who opened the inning with a single against Sandoval.

Guerrero (1-1) escaped further trouble with a flyout to center and popup to third. He earned the victory with 1 2/3 innings of two-hit relief.

Aroldis Chapman worked a perfect ninth for his 19th save.

Colson Montgomery had two hits for the White Sox, who were limited to just two runs in the series.

Kay (6-4) scattered two runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

White Sox pitchers Jordan Hicks, Grant Taylor and Tyler Davis combined for 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief with two walks.

Anthony Seigler returned to Boston’s lineup after leaving Wednesday’s victory with a right trap contusion following a collision at home plate.

Red Sox All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras, who departed with a left foot contusion in Wednesday’s game, served the first of a five-game suspension for his role in a benches-clearing incident against Washington on June 30. He was originally suspended for seven games but MLB reduced it to five on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Sox vs Sox I: Four In a Row

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CHICAGO – (Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Andruw Monasterio and Ceddanne Rafaela homered and Payton Tolle delivered six shutout innings to lift the visiting Red Sox to an 8-1 victory over the White Sox on Tuesday. The Red Sox stretched their winning streak to four while earning their ninth victory in the past 11 games.

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Monasterio and Rafaela collected two hits apiece, including second-inning home runs against Chicago starter Noah Schultz (2-6). Willson Contreras had a two-run, ninth-inning double among his two hits, while Jarren Duran punctuated a four-run ninth with his second hit, an RBI single.

Tolle (5-6) set the tone for the Red Sox pitching staff, scattering two Sam Antonacci singles over six innings. He walked one and struck out six while allowing only one White Sox baserunner to reach scoring position.

Chicago remained one game ahead of Cleveland atop the American League Central despite its fourth loss in six games. The White Sox avoided a shutout when Kyle Teel drove in a run on a seventh-inning forceout. Justin Slaten struck out Jacob Gonzalez and Tristan Peters with runners on the corners to end the threat.

Schultz — a rookie left-hander, as with Tolle — needed 33 pitches to escape a scoreless first inning in which he stranded the bases loaded.

Boston, however, reached him for three runs in the second, rallying after Schultz fanned Duran to begin the inning. Monasterio opened the scoring with a solo home run to left. Three batters later, Rafaela smacked a two-run blast to make it 3-0.

The Red Sox extended the lead to 4-0 in the fourth as Duran scored on Connor Wong’s sacrifice bunt.

Schultz allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings. He walked three, struck out three and hit one batter. He has lost four straight starts.

Antonacci finished 3-for-4 to pace Chicago and stop a three-game hitless streak.

–Field Level Media

Boys of Summer / Gone

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SEATTLE – (Wire Service Report) – Charles De Ketelaere of Bruges scored a brace and added an assist as Belgium eliminated the United States from the World Cup with a 4-1 win in their round of 16 match on Monday. It was a convincing performance against the co-hosts for Belgium, who advance to play Spain in a quarterfinal match in Inglewood, California this Friday.

After Belgium thoroughly dominated in taking a 2-1 halftime lead, the U.S. ratcheted up the pressure coming out of the break seeking the equalizer. Instead, Belgium built a two-goal advantage when U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese left his area only to misplay a long ball, leading to a goal into an empty net by Belgium midfielder Hans Vanaken in the 57th minute.

De Ketelaere was credited with the assist, which came after a pair of goals that asserted the Red Devils’ superiority in the first half. The Atalanta forward scored in the ninth and 33rd minutes, both times taking advantage of an overmatched United States backline to leave Freese with no chance.

“We played with mastery, with willingness and with determination,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. “We showed a great face to the world.”

U.S. midfielder Malik Tillman tied the  game at 1-1 in the 31st minute when his free kick from just outside Belgium’s box was deflected and found the back of the net with Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois diving in the opposite direction.

It finally gave the partisan sellout crowd of 66,925 something to cheer about, but the momentum was very short-lived.

Less than two minutes later, De Ketelaere connected with a header off a cross from Leandro Trossard. It was the second time De Ketelaere got between American defenders Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, this time out-jumping Ream for the clean header.

His first goal came in the ninth minute, when the U.S. failed to clear their lines despite having numerous players in the box. Nicolas Raskin, starting in place of Kevin De Bruyne, collected the ball on the edge of the penalty box. He sent a short cross to De Ketelaere, who easily converted after sneaking between Ream and Robinson.

“I think when you concede goals that easily against a team of that quality and that caliber, it’s going to be difficult,” U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams said. “We gave them good chances, or even half-chances, and they finished them.

“It was just a little bit too easy today.”

It marked the seventh and eighth international goals for De Ketelaere, who also scored in Belgium’s 5-2 win over the USMNT in a March friendly in Atlanta. He was predictably named the player of the match.

“It is something you dream of as a kid,” De Ketelaere said. “Being a decisive player in a knockout game is a dream come true.”

The American backline that had been considered the team’s weakness entering the World Cup appeared overwhelmed by the step up in competition from the outset against the ninth-ranked Belgians.

“Today we did not show our real quality,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “We started in a really poor way. Wasn’t our day, in a collective or an individual way.”

Garcia made four changes to his starting XI from his team’s dramatic 3-2 win over Senegal in the round of 32. He said that after going to extra time to get past Senegal, some players were still not fully recovered as of Sunday and that he did not settle on his starting lineup until hours before the Monday match.

“I wanted speed in the attack,” Garcia said. “They wanted to have a high press, and that’s what we did, not them.”

The Red Devils were aggressive from the outset, logging their first shot attempt in the first minute, forcing a diving save from Freese. Belgium captain Youri Tielemans also failed to convert an excellent look a few minutes later.

Pochettino brought on Giovanni Reyna to begin the second half in an attempt to find more scoring opportunities. However, the U.S. were forced to substitute off star Christian Pulisic in the 59th minute after the forward was injured attempting to line up a shot attempt and instead kicking the leg of a defender.

Another mistake by the U.S. backline led to Belgium’s fourth goal when Romelu Lukaku scored in second-half stoppage time after a turnover by Chris Richards.

“There’s so many different thoughts and emotions that are running through me at the minute that I’m not even thinking tactically or what could have been different or what should we have done,” Ream said.

“It’s just one of those that I probably won’t be able to personally think about for a few days, until I really sit back and allow the emotions to subside.”

Pochettino added, “It just hurts to be eliminated.

“We did not play at the level that we had shown in the past. In spite of that, we are very proud of our whole campaign together. And today hurts.”

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media