Fatal mistake in US Soccer's 4-1 loss to Belgium just gave Giants fans some unwanted deja vu

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Dec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Giants place kicker Younghoe Koo (37) whiffs on a kick attempt during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II-Imagn Images

A terrible gaffe just reminded a number of New York fans of a blunder by one of their own last year.

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The US Men’s National Team is out of the World Cup, and it happened in embarassing fashion. After a strong run in the tournament saw Mauricio Pochettino’s squad reach the Round of 16, Belgium sent the Stars and Stripes home with an emphatic and decisive 4-1 win on Monday night in Seattle.

And the disappointing and mistake-filled performance by the homestanding Americans was wrapped up in one single gaffe that ultimately put the US out of the game early in the second half.

Goalkeeper Matt Freese left the box to try to cut off a deep ball and Belgium run. He played the ball and got just past the Belgium player. However, he kicked the ground while trying to reach the ball, coming well short of it.

Predictably, Belgium regained control and sent a long shot past Freese and defender Tim Ream into the goal for an embarrassing and avoidable score and a backbreaking 3-1 lead.

You can insert here the .gif of Leonardi DiCaprio leaning forward on the couch, snapping his fingers, and pointing at the screen in recognition. Because that’s probably what a number of New York Giants fans did while watching the game.

Freese’s crucial miss was very much similar to former Giants kicker Younghoe Koo’s mistake in primetime last season.

Error by US goalkeeper Matt Freese was similar to former Giants kicker Younghoe Koo’s whiff on a field goal attempt

In the Giants’ 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots in early December, Koo lined up for a 47-yard field goal attempt to try to cut the Pats’ lead to 7. He ran up and tried to kick the ball, but his cleats caught the turf and never reached the ball. Holder Jamie Gillan tried to run, but was stuffed for a 13-yard loss and a turnover on downs.

That error was one of many by a Giants team that staggered into the contest at 2-10. That’s a moment that many Giants fans likely chuckled and shook their head at.

But unfortunately, not many Giants fans watching the game on Monday night were amused after the Americans fell short once again in the world’s biggest competition.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Fatal mistake in US Soccer's 4-1 loss to Belgium just gave Giants fans some unwanted deja vu

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