Faulty reasoning signals

• Confirmation Bias - 4.7% (30 hits)
• Anchoring Bias - 0%
• Availability Heuristic - 4.2% (27 hits)
• Representativeness Heuristic - 3.8% (24 hits)
• Hindsight Bias - 0%
• Overconfidence Bias - 1.3% (8 hits)
• Framing Effect - 22.6% (144 hits)
• Loss Aversion - 11.8% (75 hits)
• Status Quo Bias - 6.3% (40 hits)
• Sunk Cost Effect - 3% (19 hits)
• Optimism Bias - 9.7% (62 hits)
• Pessimism Bias - 16.4% (104 hits)

Article text

Heartbreak in Seattle as Team USA ends World Cup run

The U.S. men’s national team - and all of their fans - will have to wait at least four more years for another shot.

On Monday night, Team USA’s run in this year’s World Cup soccer tournament came to an end with a 4-1 bludgeoning by Belgium.

What started in Seattle as a day of loud, patriotic jubilation for the U.S. ended in ninety minutes of tepid soccer by the Americans.

Belgium scored early in the match, the U.S. quickly responded, and then the Europeans piled on two more winning goals in the second half.

It was Team USA’s worst loss this World Cup, ending the team’s bid this year in a quiet fizzle, like a dud firework on the 4th of July.

“We did as well as we could but it was a bit disappointing to go out this way,” said Justin Harris, who travelled from Los Angeles to Seattle for the game.

Harris said he can handle a loss, but maybe one that was a little closer.

“If we lost by a goal or two, that’d be ok,” he said, “but that was painful.”

Inside the stadium, Harris said he could feel the energy leave U.S. fans after Belgium got the fourth goal in the last few minutes.

His second-place team now that the U.S. is out of the tournament: “anyone but Belgium,” he said.

Monday’s must-win match had an added political cloud hanging over it for the U.S. team.

U.S. star forward Folarin Balogun received a red card in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, suspending him from playing in Monday’s crucial match.

The red card was controversial — and so was FIFA's decision to overturn it after President Trump said he had personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the penalty.

Some U.S. fans heading into the stadium Monday said they did not like the president meddling with sports teams.

"It's hard.

I mean, I don't know if it was a true red card, but I don't like the way it went,” said Seattle resident Lisa Harkness.

“We have so much positive energy going on, and I think this is a step back."

Even if the president’s call got the key player back on the pitch, Harkness said it wasn’t worth it.

“We have a good enough team without all that,” Harkness said, adding that she was still rooting for the U.S. team but with mixed emotions.

Chet Harleigh, who went to the match dressed in aviator sunglasses and a blond mullet wig, said he was struggling with the complex politics as a soccer fan.

“How do you support your team, but still wish your country could be better?”

Harleigh said near the stadium.

“It’s really tough.”

Many fans, however, were thrilled to see Balogun was eligible to play in Seattle.

Thomas Barnum, who travelled from Orange County, California for the game, said he was woken up by his friend when they heard the news.

“He just grabs me shoulder to shoulder, shaking me like there's a fire on the house, and he said, ‘bro, Balogun's playing, he's back, baby!’”

For the game, Barnum and his two friends painted their bare torsos with the number 20 for Balogun’s jersey.

Although Monday’s match did not end the way that tens of the thousands of fans came to Seattle to see, it was still a memorable experience for a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Under glorious sunshine, blue skies, and lots of good vibes, Seattle capped off a triumphant run as a World Cup host city.

“An incredible spectacle for the city.

We can do this more often,” Harleigh said.

“We can put on incredible events.

We can welcome the world to our shores.

It makes me so proud to be a Seattleite.”