US Confident Against Belgium, Pulisic Says

U.S. soccer talisman Christian Pulisic conveyed a strong sense of confidence ahead of the team's World Cup clash against Belgium, describing it as the sternest test yet of their tournament credentials. The match on Monday offers a chance for the U.S. to advance to the quarter-finals, echoing their 2014 encounter where Belgium eliminated them in extra time.

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We know what they (Belgium) have to offer. They have really talented players that can make a difference really quick. But we're not going to completely reinvent our style either. Of course, we want to be aggressive and try to hurt them, as we have to other teams this tournament.

Pulisic acknowledged Belgium's talented players who can quickly change the game's dynamic. However, he stressed that the U.S. team will not alter its fundamental approach. "We're not going to completely reinvent our style either. Of course, we want to be aggressive and try to hurt them, as we have to other teams this tournament," Pulisic told reporters.

Despite a previous 5-2 friendly defeat against Belgium in March, Pulisic asserted that the team's confidence remains unshaken. "We have confidence regardless of the game in March. We know what we can do." He believes the U.S. squad has the capability to not only compete but also control periods of the match against elite opponents. "We think we can hang – not just hang, but dominate spells of the game against some of the best teams ... I think we have the right to feel confident."

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We have confidence regardless of the game in March. We know what we can do. We think we can hang – not just hang, but dominate spells of the game against some of the best teams ... I think we have the right to feel confident.

Encouraging fan support, Pulisic urged Americans to rally behind the team, embodying the national spirit of believing in the impossible. "Because we're Americans, that's what we do. We believe anything is possible," he said. "We're a team that's going to fight and we're going to give it everything we got and we believe that we can win this thing. So I'd say that's a good reason to believe."

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Because we're Americans, that's what we do. We believe anything is possible. We're a team that's going to fight and we're going to give it everything we got and we believe that we can win this thing. So I'd say that's a good reason to believe.

Adding to the team's morale, news broke shortly before Sunday's training that forward Folarin Balogun would be available to play after FIFA suspended his one-match ban. Pulisic described the initial red card as "super harsh" and welcomed FIFA's decision, noting Balogun's happiness at being able to participate in such a crucial game.

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He's obviously super happy, man ... you want to be able to play in games like this