The US men's national soccer team enters its World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium early Tuesday, carrying rising expectations as it faces one of Europe's most experienced teams. The match, to be played at the Seattle Seahawks' stadium, is expected to provide a lively backdrop for a US team whose tournament ambitions are growing with each game. Before the World Cup began, a group of fans considered reaching the round of 16 a reasonable goal, but now hopes are set on a quarterfinal spot. However, the wins over Paraguay and Australia in the group stage, followed by a 2-0 victory over Bosnia despite playing the final 36 minutes with ten men, have raised hopes that the team can advance further. In contrast, Belgium has not fully convinced its followers yet, and the team had to escape in the final moments against Senegal after being 2-0 down with five minutes left in regulation. For Belgium, this tournament may be the final chapter for what is known as the country's 'golden generation' in the World Cup, led by midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, striker Romelu Lukaku, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The US defense, which put in an impressive performance against Bosnia, will also have to stop winger Jeremy Doku, who is expected to shine after having a modest performance so far in the tournament. This matchup echoes 2014, when Belgium eliminated the US in the round of 16 after extra time in the Brazil edition, a match remembered for Tim Howard's record-breaking 16 saves and the late US rally that fell short. This time, the US will play without striker Folarin Balogun, who scored a first-half goal against Bosnia before receiving a red card in the second half. His suspension presents Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino with a key selection decision, as the US seeks to extend its campaign that has captured domestic public attention. US midfielder Tyler Adams said: 'We want to leave our mark on the game and leave a legacy behind us. We know that the further we go, the more this game grows in the country.'