What the US Men’s Soccer Team Can Teach Us About Overcoming Setbacks in Business

I was very excited to watch the US Men’s Soccer team play in the Knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup this past week. I decided to go to the newest location in Carolina Forest, South Coast Brewery. They had an amazing outdoor screen with tables and adirondack chairs. You also had the option of bringing your own chairs and enjoy the atmosphere.

As I was sitting there, watching the game and feeling the emotions of an intense soccer game, I realized that there were a few lessons here on how to build a successful business despite a major setback.

Every entrepreneur dreams of the perfect game. The perfect product launch, marketing campaign or the perfect quarter.

But business rarely unfolds that way. Sometimes your biggest client leaves, your website traffic drops overnight, an ad campaign flops or the person you depended on the most is suddenly gone.

The question isn’t whether setbacks will happen.

The question is: How will you respond?

That lesson was on full display during the U.S. Men’s National Team’s recent victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

When Everything Changes Mid-Game

No coach wants to lose one of their strongest attacking players, especially after a red card forces the team to play with fewer players than their opponent.

On paper, the odds immediately shift. The game plan changes, the pressure increases and every mistake becomes more costly.

Many teams would have mentally checked out. Instead, the U.S. team adjusted. Rather than focusing on what they had lost, they focused on what they still had.

That’s exactly what successful businesses do.

Growth Doesn’t Require Perfect Conditions

One of the biggest myths in business is that success comes from having every advantage.

It doesn’t.

Some of the fastest-growing companies started with tiny budgets.
Others survived recessions. Many lost key employees or major customers before becoming successful. Growth isn’t built during the easy seasons. It’s built during the difficult ones. The businesses that thrive aren’t the ones that avoid problems. They’re the ones that learn to solve them.

Lesson #1: Don’t Build Your Business Around One Star Player

The U.S. team didn’t have the luxury of relying on one person after the red card. Everyone had to contribute. Businesses often make the same mistake.

They rely on:

• One salesperson
• One social media platform
• One marketing tactic
• One major client
• One source of traffic

When that single pillar disappears, everything begins to crumble. Healthy businesses build systems—not dependencies. That’s why I encourage clients to focus on owned marketing assets like their website, email list, SEO, and valuable content instead of putting all of their energy into one platform. If Instagram disappears tomorrow, your business shouldn’t disappear with it.

Lesson #2: Adapt Faster Than Your Competition

The best teams don’t panic. They adjust. Maybe your original marketing strategy isn’t working, Google updated its algorithm, or consumer behavior has changed. Standing still rarely fixes the problem. The companies that continue growing are constantly asking:

“What do we do now?”

Not…

“Why did this happen to us?”

Adaptability has become one of the greatest competitive advantages a business can have.

I remember learning about this while I was working on my master’s at Johns Hopkins. I took a class called “Changing Behavior Through Communication.” It was such an eye-opening lesson because it really had to do with how and when to pivot. Most of us feel like a deer in headlights and completely stop because we don’t know where we are. All we have to do is shift our mindset and ask the right question, answer it and then take action.

Lesson #3: Teamwork Wins Championships

Playing a man down means everyone has to do a little more. Communication improves. People cover for each other. Everyone becomes responsible for the outcome. The same is true inside successful businesses. Marketing shouldn’t operate separately from sales. Customer service should share feedback with marketing. Leadership should communicate a clear vision. Growth happens when everyone moves toward the same goal.

Lesson #4: Momentum Comes From Small Wins

After a setback, it’s tempting to focus on the scoreboard. But great teams focus on the next play, win the next possession, complete the next pass and create the next opportunity.

Businesses should think the same way.

Instead of trying to solve everything overnight:

• Publish one helpful blog.
• Improve one landing page.
• Send one valuable email.
• Optimize one service page.
• Ask one happy customer for a review.

Small wins compound into significant growth.

Every Business Will Face a Red Card Moment

You may lose your biggest client, a product launch may flop, your website traffic may decline or a competitor may enter your market. None of these events determine the outcome of your business.

Your response does.

The businesses that survive—and ultimately grow—are the ones that stay calm, adjust their strategy, and keep moving forward.

Final Whistle (Thoughts)

The U.S. Men’s National Team reminded us that setbacks don’t automatically lead to defeat. Sometimes they reveal what a team is truly capable of.

Business works the same way.

Your biggest obstacle might become the moment that forces you to build better systems, strengthen your strategy, and discover opportunities you would have otherwise missed. Growth isn’t about avoiding adversity. It’s about learning how to win anyway.

Growth Takeaway

Every entrepreneur eventually experiences a “red card moment”—a setback that disrupts the original plan. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen?” ask, “How can I adapt?” Because the businesses that grow aren’t the ones with perfect circumstances. They’re the ones that know how to keep playing when the odds are against them.

Enjoy the holiday weekend. Be safe out there and have a pawsome day!

-Belkis