NC State Has Had Two Players Reach the World Cup Round of 16 for Team USA

The United States continues its run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tonight, taking on Belgium in the quarterfinals at 8 p.m.

As Wolfpack fans tune in, it’s a fitting time to look back at two former NC State stars who helped the United States reach the Round of 16 on soccer’s biggest stage.

Tab Ramos and Pablo Mastroeni each played key roles in some of the most memorable moments in U.S. Soccer history.

Pablo Mastroeni

Pablo Mastroeni represented the United States in both the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, but it was the 2002 tournament that cemented his place in U.S. Soccer history.

Mastroeni started all three matches he played during the Americans’ remarkable run to the quarterfinals.

His tournament began with one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, as the United States stunned Portugal 3-2 in the opening group-stage match.

Despite a 3-1 loss to Poland and a 1-1 draw against South Korea, the victory over Portugal was enough to send the Americans into the knockout stage.

Historic Round of 16 Victory

The United States then defeated rival Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16, with Mastroeni once again earning the start.

The victory sent the U.S. to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1930 and just the second time in program history.

Mastroeni also started the quarterfinal against Germany, where the Americans fell 1-0 in one of the most memorable performances in U.S. Soccer history.

Tab Ramos

Eight years earlier, Tab Ramos helped author another watershed moment for American soccer.

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, marked the nation’s first appearance in the Round of 16 since 1930.

Ramos started all four matches for the Americans.

His biggest moment came against Colombia, when he assisted on the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory that helped the United States advance out of the group stage.

Heartbreaking Ending

Unfortunately, Ramos’ World Cup came to a devastating conclusion.

During the Round of 16 match against eventual champion Brazil, he suffered a skull fracture after taking an elbow from Brazilian defender Leonardo.

The injury ended his tournament and remains one of the most infamous moments in U.S. Soccer history.

Pablo Mastroeni at NC State

Long before starring for the United States, Mastroeni built an outstanding career with the Wolfpack.

Career Honors

Team MVP (1995)
Team Captain (1997)
First-Team All-ACC (1997)
Second-Team All-ACC (1996)
ACC 50th Anniversary Team

Tab Ramos at NC State

Few players in program history have accomplished more than Ramos.

Career Honors

Three-time All-American (1985, 1986, 1987)
First-Team All-ACC (1985, 1986, 1987)
Second-Team All-ACC (1984)
ACC 50th Anniversary Team
Team MVP (1987)
Team Captain (1987)
All-ACC Tournament Team (1987)
NC State Athletics Hall of Fame (2012 Inaugural Class)

NC State Record Book

6th in career points (104)
T-10th in career goals (31)
2nd in career assists (42)
2nd in single-season assists (17)
T-5th in single-season assists (13)
7th in single-season points (37)

Final Thoughts

The United States is hoping to make more World Cup history tonight against Belgium.

If they do, they’ll be following a path that former Wolfpack stars Tab Ramos and Pablo Mastroeni helped pave decades ago.

Both players played pivotal roles in some of the greatest moments in U.S. Soccer history, and both remain among the most accomplished soccer players ever to wear an NC State uniform.