​United States soccer fans may need a long time to recover from their heartbreaking World Cup defeat to Belgium. Mauricio Pochettino’s squad had captured the imagination of the American public with three convincing tournament victories, raising hopes that the USMNT would push into the knockout rounds. Yet those expectations were dashed when they were swept aside by Belgium from the opening whistle to the final whistle, leaving supporters with a sense of disappointment and shattered prospects for a deeper run in the competition.
Amid the post-tournament conversations, NFL analyst Brett Kollman has spotlighted a standout prospect who could steer the USMNT toward future glory. Christian Pulisic has long been the emblem of the national team, but his World Cup performance drew heavy criticism. At 27 and carrying a notable injury history, he may not be the long-term solution for the United States as it eyes the 2030 World Cup. This has led to renewed discussion about the next generation of American stars who could take the mantel in the years ahead.
Kollman has already earmarked 16-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan as a potential savior for the USMNT. Sullivan has gained experience with Philadelphia Union, featuring in 29 MLS matches, contributing a goal and an assist. The highly touted United States under-18 international has also secured a verbal agreement to join Manchester City when he turns 18, a move that fuels the optimism surrounding his potential progression to the senior national team in the near future.
“On the bright side, in four years he (Sullivan) is coming to save us,” Kollman wrote on social media following the Belgium defeat. This sentiment reflects the rising belief that Sullivan could develop into a key figure for the United States in the next World Cup cycle. In the same vein, another fan on social media suggested that Mathis Albert, a young talent from Borussia Dortmund, is also someone to watch as part of the next wave of American players making their mark abroad.
Despite a sense that progress at the 2026 World Cup was not dramatic, there is a growing sense of optimism about the trajectory of the USMNT. The next generation of players, led by young talents like Sullivan and Albert, is expected to carry the team forward and help bridge the gap to a more successful era on the world stage. As the United States continues to develop its pipeline of homegrown talent and attract top-level prospects to major European leagues, fans remain hopeful that the future holds promise for a brighter chapter in American soccer.