SEATTLE -- Folarin Balogun's return in attack could not stop the United States men's national team from another round of 16 departure at the World Cup.

The Americans endured a subdued conclusion to their month-long run, as Belgium controlled the contest and quieted a previously energetic crowd at Lumen Field during Monday's 4-1 loss.

Charles De Ketelaere netted a pair for Belgium, while Hans Vanaken capitalized on a costly error by goalkeeper Matt Freese to seal the result. Romelu Lukaku added a late strike from close range following another defensive lapse, though the outcome was already decided.

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This marked the fourth instance in five World Cups where the U.S. exited at this point, with the sole exception coming in 2018 due to a failure to qualify.

Belgium had previously eliminated the Americans in 2014, yet that extra-time encounter felt far more competitive than this result.

"We did not match the level shown earlier in the tournament," U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said to reporters. "It was a poor performance overall. Things did not go our way collectively or individually, and we must recognize that such moments occur.

"In a World Cup setting, however, there is no opportunity to recover when it happens."

The U.S. impressed during group play and secured a strong win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 despite playing short-handed after Balogun's red card. Hopes ran high for a second quarterfinal appearance in team history.

Instead, the side collapsed on Monday. Christian Pulisic struggled throughout, losing possession 11 times in the opening half. Sergino Dest proved problematic on the flank, leading to a halftime substitution. Balogun, who had tallied three goals plus an own-goal assist in prior matches, moved without purpose and created little threat.

"It was not a strong showing as a group," midfielder Tyler Adams noted. "We fell short of our standards in several areas. Conceding so readily against a side of this caliber makes progress tough.

"We allowed quality opportunities that they converted. It proved too straightforward. This was our chance to advance and achieve something notable, yet we came up short."

Anticipation had centered on Balogun's unique circumstances leading into the match.

President Donald Trump and White House staff claimed credit for aiding U.S. Soccer in persuading FIFA to modify the standard one-game ban for a red card, sparking varied reactions about fairness and process.

The players showed little interest in those details and did not reference them as an issue after the match.

"That discussion did not impact us at all," Adams said. "If anything, it may have motivated us further."

Balogun drew loud support during warmups, and a spirited national anthem raised expectations for a strong start.

Yet the Americans began slowly for the first time in five games. Belgium took charge immediately with an early threatening cross. Timothy Castagne tested Freese with a long-range effort within the opening minute, leaving the U.S. midfield stagnant.

Belgium pressed on. Leandro Trossard sparked an attack from the left around the nine-minute mark, and Nicolas Raskin reacted first to set up De Ketelaere, who finished between Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson for the opener.

The stadium fell quiet except for Belgian supporters. It was the first goal conceded by the U.S. in the tournament.

A response came slowly. After the break, the U.S. built pressure and equalized when Malik Tillman's free kick deflected off the wall. Tillman became just the second player in 60 years to score two free-kick goals in a single World Cup.

The lead lasted only 52 seconds. Belgium advanced again with Trossard on the left, and De Ketelaere headed home another cross to restore the advantage.

The second half brought little change. Gio Reyna replaced Dest without creating openings. Any potential momentum ended with Freese's error, as his clearance went straight to Vanaken for a long-range finish that left the U.S. trailing by two.

Ream and Freese showed clear frustration while Belgium celebrated. The Americans headed toward another familiar exit.