Bartsool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has been an outspoken supporter of the United States Men’s National Team throughout their run through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, after a blowout loss to Belgium on Monday night, Portnoy was one of the team’s harshest critics.
Hours after calling for Americans to be deported if they chose to root for Belgium over the United States amidst the Folarin Balogun red card controversy, Portnoy called out the team’s “disgusting effort” in the 4-1 loss to Belgium.
Portnoy Supported USMNT
In the leadup to Monday night’s match, Portnoy was outspoken in defending FIFA’s controversial decision to allow Balogun to play against Belgium, going as far as to suggest that any American thinking otherwise should be deported.
“It was the right call,” Portnoy said of Balogun’s reinstatement. “I don’t know people’s politics. If you are against this and you’re a United States citizen, deported. I want you out of the country. If you have a problem with this guy playing because you’re letting politics get in the way and you don’t like Trump, played, placed a phone call, and you think this is wrong, deported. I want you on the first bus, plane, train. See ya. Go live somewhere else. This is about winning soccer.”
Portnoy praised Trump’s involvement in the decision and defended the United States against criticism from the rest of the world, saying “they hate us cause they ain’t us.” He went on to predict a 2-0 victory over Belgium on Monday night, sharing an AI-generated photo of Trump eating boxes of Belgian chocolate.
‘Disgusting Effort’
Almost immediately after the match started on Monday night, Portnoy’s tune changed dramatically.
“The US looks like absolute garbage so far,” Portnoy wrote in a post on X.
Portnoy’s assessment only got more scathing after that.
“US Soccer is not ready for primetime. I dont wanna be mean but this team is embarrassing. We’re never gonna actually be good at this sport as long as out D tier athletes play it. What a clown show,” Portnoy wrote.
“Embarrassing effort from the United States. Lights were way too bright for US soccer team. Stage way too big. If we’re gonna keep creating international incidents over soccer it may be time to institute a soccer draft,” he added in another post.
Portnoy went as far as to say he didn’t want to hear anything positive about the team’s run through the world cup after that showing.
“I don’t want to hear that the future is bright for American soccer. That they should be proud. That was a disgusting effort. We’re far closer to the bottom than the top. Just not a soccer country,” Portnoy wrote.
Needless to say, he was not happy about the team’s performance on the biggest stage.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.