The United States men's national team may have stumbled out of the World Cup on Monday night, but Alex Morgan made sure the red, white, and blue still shined bright in Seattle. The two-time World Cup champion arrived at the Round of 16 clash against Belgium wearing a jacket that screamed patriotism—a bold red, white, and navy blue number that had fans double-tapping faster than a goal celebration.
Morgan, who scored 123 goals for the USWNT during her legendary career, posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, “Having the most fun.” And despite the USMNT’s 2-0 loss, she certainly looked the part. The jacket, a stylish nod to the Stars and Stripes, quickly became the talk of the night—even as Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half to put the Americans on the back foot.
The match turned sour early for the home side. De Ketelaere’s brace was followed by a critical error from U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese in the 57th minute, effectively sealing Belgium’s victory. USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino didn’t mince words afterward. “We were not the same team that during the tournament showed the quality,” he told reporters. “Very bad day. Wasn’t our day in a collective and individual way. And we need to accept that sometimes this type of thing happens.”
While the result stung for American soccer fans, Morgan’s outfit offered a bright spot. Her patriotic look echoed the kind of star-spangled style we’ve seen from other sports figures—like NFL influencer Annie Agar's July 4th patriotic swimsuit snap that set social media ablaze. Morgan’s jacket, however, was all about supporting the men’s team on a night when they needed every ounce of American spirit.
The loss also sparked some unusual reactions. In a bizarre twist, some Americans were actually rooting for Belgium in the showdown, a sentiment that might have raised eyebrows among die-hard fans. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump had warned FIFA earlier that the U.S. would cry “rigged” if they lost, adding a layer of political intrigue to the match.
Despite the disappointment, Morgan’s appearance was a reminder of the talent and passion that defines American soccer. The USWNT star may have retired from international play, but she’s still a beacon for the sport. Looking ahead, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil offers a fresh chance for glory. With stars like Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson ready to lead the charge, the U.S. women’s team has all the firepower to make the nation proud next June.
For now, though, the focus is on what went wrong for the USMNT. Belgium’s victory was fueled by Romelu Lukaku's cheeky dance and a dig at Trump, adding insult to injury for American fans. But Morgan’s patriotic outfit served as a symbol of resilience—a reminder that even in defeat, the spirit of the game endures.
As the USMNT heads home to regroup, Morgan’s jacket will likely go down as one of the most memorable fashion moments of the tournament. And with the Women’s World Cup on the horizon, American soccer fans have plenty to look forward to—starting with a trio of attackers who could light up Brazil.
