President Trump ended up assisting United States’ World Cup loss [letter] | Letters To The Editor

After having such a spectacular World Cup run, how did the wheels fall off for the United States in its 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16?

There appear to be several obvious factors.

First, Belgium is a very good team and deserves a lot of credit.

Unfortunately, outside team distractions seem to have taken their toll. When politics become involved, the players become secondary. If the red-card incident had been ignored, the United States could have used it as motivation.

But President Donald Trump’s interference set the tone. In my view, it turned the world audience against us, smelled of political corruption and made the team members feel they were not good enough to win without one player.

It was not exactly a team-building moment.

FIFA has a long history of corruption and this political interference didn’t help its reputation.

I would guess that Trump believes he could have been the “GOAT” of soccer if it weren’t for his heel bone spurs. But a coach he is not. He has no regard for or understanding of team dynamics.

This World Cup loss is one that Trump owns.

Douglas Groover

Manor Township