Where the 2014 USA vs. Belgium players are now: The story of Chris Wondolowski, Kevin De Bruyne and more

More than a decade after one of the most memorable matches in United States soccer history, the U.S. and Belgium are set to renew their rivalry at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their Round of 16 meeting at the 2014 tournament in Brazil produced one of the competition's greatest knockout contests. Tim Howard made a World Cup-record 16 saves, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku fired Belgium into the quarterfinals after extra time, and Chris Wondolowski's agonising late miss became one of the defining moments of the United States' campaign.

The match also featured players whose careers would take very different paths. Some went on to become global superstars, others retired after distinguished careers, while a handful remain involved in the game as players or coaches.

Before the two nations meet again on the World Cup stage, The Sporting News looks at where some of the biggest names from that unforgettable night are now.

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Where the 2014 USA vs. Belgium players are now

More than a decade after one of the most memorable matches in FIFA World Cup history, the careers of the biggest names from the United States and Belgium have taken very different paths. Some became global superstars, others enjoyed long professional careers before retiring, while a handful remain involved in the game in new roles.

Here's where five of the defining figures from that unforgettable Round of 16 clash are today.

Chris Wondolowski

Wondolowski's stoppage-time miss against Belgium remains one of the most replayed moments in United States soccer history, but it should not overshadow one of the finest careers ever produced by an MLS striker.

He retired in 2021 as Major League Soccer's all-time leading scorer with 171 regular-season goals and remains closely connected with the San Jose Earthquakes as a club ambassador. Wondolowski also works as a television analyst, regularly covering MLS and the U.S. national team.

Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne announced himself to a global audience by opening the scoring against the United States before developing into one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

After winning multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City, the Belgian international joined Napoli in 2025. He remains one of his country's most influential players and continues to compete at the highest level of European soccer.

Tim Howard

Howard delivered one of the greatest individual goalkeeping performances in World Cup history, making a tournament-record 16 saves despite the United States' extra-time defeat.

Following spells with Manchester United, Everton and the Colorado Rapids, Howard retired from professional soccer in 2020. He is now one of American soccer's leading broadcasters, regularly covering major international tournaments and the U.S. national team.

Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku transformed the match after coming off the bench, setting up Kevin De Bruyne's opener before scoring Belgium's second goal in extra time.

The striker has since become Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer and enjoyed a distinguished club career across Europe with Inter Milan, Chelsea, Manchester United, Roma and Napoli. He remains a key figure for Belgium on the international stage.

Julian Green

Green needed only his first touch to score against Belgium, becoming the youngest American ever to score at a FIFA World Cup.

After leaving Bayern Munich, Green built his career with Greuther Furth, where he has become one of the club's longest-serving and most experienced players. Although he has rarely featured for the United States in recent years, he continues to play professionally in the 2. Bundesliga.

Revisiting USA vs. Belgium at 2014 World Cup

More than a decade later, the United States' Round of 16 defeat to Belgium remains one of the most unforgettable matches in modern World Cup history, not because of the final score, but because of the drama, emotion and individual brilliance that unfolded over 120 unforgettable minutes.

Played in Salvador on July 1, 2014, the match showcased one of the greatest goalkeeping displays the tournament has ever seen. Under relentless pressure, Tim Howard produced a World Cup-record 16 saves to frustrate Belgium and drag the United States into extra time, where Kevin De Bruyne finally broke the deadlock before substitute Romelu Lukaku added a second for Marc Wilmots' side.

The contest still had one final twist. Julian Green scored with his first touch to spark late hope for the Americans before Chris Wondolowski was presented with a golden opportunity to force a penalty shootout in stoppage time. His close-range volley sailed over the crossbar, bringing an agonising end to one of the bravest World Cup performances in United States soccer history.

Although Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals, the match became a landmark moment for both nations. Howard's heroics entered World Cup folklore, while Belgium's emerging "golden generation" took another significant step toward establishing itself among the world's elite. More than 10 years later, the encounter is still widely regarded as one of the greatest knockout matches of the modern World Cup era.

USA roster for 2014 World Cup

Here is the United States squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with the club each player represented during the tournament.

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