When Marcelo Balboa speaks, people in American soccer circles tend to listen. One of the sport’s early pioneers in the United States, Balboa became a household name during the 1994 World Cup, helping define a breakthrough moment for the USMNT on home soil.

More than three decades later, he sees a completely different landscape. What was once a niche sport has grown into a national conversation, with anticipation building toward another World Cup in the United States. This time, the expectations are far higher.

Why U.S. expectations are high

“Getting out of the group isn’t enough. Winning in the Round of 32 isn’t enough,” Balboa told AS during an MLS roundtable. “We’ve talked about it a lot. This team finally has the pressure to reach the quarterfinals. Simple as that. That’s the expectation in this country, making the quarterfinals at home.”

The belief comes from what many consider the most talented U.S. player pool ever assembled. For the first time, American players are not just reaching Europe, they are contributing at some of the continent’s biggest clubs.

“We feel very good about this team,” Balboa said. “If you look at the players individually, one by one, it’s an incredible group because we’ve never had guys playing at clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, or PSV. These are huge teams, and now we finally have players at that level.”

Still, talent alone will not be enough.

“This roster has a lot of talent, but now comes the hardest part. That talent has to come together and function as a team. That’s what the national team is still missing, even if it’s just a little bit.”

Pochettino’s impact and lingering doubts

Balboa believes Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival has brought “a lot of positives,” but he also sees familiar issues that continue to surface in big moments.

“The results weren’t good against Belgium and Portugal, but the most important games are still ahead at the World Cup,” he said. “That’s where we’ll draw real conclusions.”

For Balboa, the ceiling remains high.

“This is a very talented team. It can do something special. The only thing it lacks is confidence. We saw it against Belgium, they faded as the game went on. But it’s been years since we’ve had players like this, guys like Ricardo Pepi who are special. I believe this team will do something special.”

World Cup 2026: a generational moment

The 2026 World Cup is not just another tournament. For many Americans, it represents a generational moment.

“The whole country is waiting for this World Cup,” Balboa said. “A lot of people who experienced 1994 with their parents will now experience it with their kids. I played in that World Cup, and now I’ll go with my 28-year-old son to enjoy it.”

The two stars who could reshape MLS

Balboa also pointed to the kind of global stars who could transform soccer’s profile in the United States even further.

“There are two players who could change everything for MLS,” he said. “One plays for Barcelona, the other for Real Madrid.”

He was referring to Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé.

“We know Lamine Yamal could do something different here, really make the sport explode. The same goes for Mbappé. Those two players would change how a lot of people see the game. Just imagine them in MLS.”

The growth of soccer in the United States

Balboa’s perspective is rooted in how far the sport has come in the U.S. Since the early 1990s, the growth has been steady and, at times, surprising.

“From 1990 to 1994, we were just trying to earn respect from the rest of the world,” he said. “Back then, that was everything. Nobody gave us a chance in 1994. Who thought the U.S. would beat Colombia, the best team in South America at the time?”

That tournament helped spark a long-term shift.

“Soccer has been growing here little by little. That World Cup opened people’s eyes and helped them understand the game. Now, after 30-plus years of growth, we’re ready to show the world this is a real soccer country.”

The infrastructure, the fan culture, and the level of talent all point in the same direction.

“You just have to look at MLS facilities or the passion from the fans,” Balboa said. “We’ve been building this the right way. And we’ve had top-level players come through, Messi, Griezmann, Suárez, Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Beckham, Gerrard. Every one of them helped push the game forward.”

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