Day 9 Knockout Round Predictions

I can’t believe it. FIFA decided to give into peer pressure, suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card and allow him to play today. Hopefully me peer pressuring you to go to Bethesda Soccer club's last home game on July 8th at 6:30 pm works just as well! Besides that we saw Norway beat Brazil, Neymar retire from the national team, and England beat Mexico in the greatest game of the World Cup so far (don’t hate me, Argentina-Cape Verde fans – but you have something to say to me, you know where I’ll be on July 8th). 

Onto today's matchups even though you know one of my picks.

Spain vs Portugal

This is one of the best matchups of the Round of 16.

Spain dominated Austria in the Round of 32, while Portugal beat Croatia in a game that saw absolutely no drama! Nope, none at all. Especially not a player's hair leading to a goal being ruled offside.

Spain has dominated everyone they played after a slow start. They've dominated possession and created many quality chances. They look like a team that can win the World Cup. 

However, you can’t dismiss Portugal. They still have Cristiano Ronaldo and even though he isn’t prime Ronaldo, he's still dangerous.

That being said, I can’t overlook how good Spain has been and I think they pull it out and win.

Spain 3, Portugal 2

Belgium vs The United States of America

Let's get the obvious out of the way… Folarin Balogun's red card suspension being suspended.

A couple things I want to say

1. IT SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN A RED CARD

2. Cristiano Ronaldo had a three-game ban removed with the same rule.

3. The entire process was stupid.

Do I understand why Belgium is upset? Absolutely.

Whether you agree with the decision or not, it changes this matchup. The U.S. gets one of its most dangerous attacking players back, while Belgium has every right to feel frustrated about how the situation played out.

Now that the decision has been made, though, there's nothing left to debate. It's time to play soccer.

Belgium made an incredible comeback that not only saw its attack finally come to life, but also forced me to do 1,000 meters on the bike because I picked Senegal. Thanks for that.

Outside of that match, though, Belgium's attack has been inconsistent—when it has shown up at all.

And let's be real. As an American, I can't pick against the United States.

Belgium is going to be a very tough opponent, and this won't be easy. But I keep thinking back to 2014. I was at sleepaway camp watching the United States take on Belgium in the Round of 16. I remember Tim Howard making save after save, only for the U.S. to come up short.

It's been 12 years.

It's time for revenge.

USA 2, Belgium 1

USA!!! USA!!! USA!!! 

Yesterday's record: 1-1

Round of 16 record: 2-2

Overall record: 15-5