Folarin Balogun says the mood inside the United States camp has shifted noticeably since the World Cup knockout rounds got underway, with the forward insisting he can feel the change in intensity around the squad.

"I can feel the difference," Balogun said, pointing to a new edge that has emerged as the tournament enters its decisive phase. The United States are finding what he described as "another gear" now that every match carries the threat of elimination.

The knockout format strips away the margin for error that the group stage allows, and Balogun suggested his side are embracing that pressure rather than retreating from it. The prospect of going home with a single defeat sharpens minds and, according to Balogun, the squad has responded with a heightened focus in training and preparation.

For the United States, the World Cup knockout stage represents a significant opportunity to prove their standing among the game's elite nations. Balogun's comments reflect a squad that is not merely surviving in the competition but actively raising its level as the stakes grow higher.