US World Cup ends with loss to Belgium
Jul 1, 2014, 10:41 PM | Updated: 11:23 pm
SALVADOR, Brazil — They captured the eyes and hearts of a suddenly
awakened soccer nation, who gathered in unprecedented numbers to watch the
world’s game.
But the end of the ride came at the exact same point as four years ago: with a
loss in extra time in the World Cup’s round of 16.
Kevin De Bruyne finally beat goalkeeper Tim Howard in the third minute of extra
time, Romelu Lukaku scored 12 minutes later to give Belgium a two-goal lead, and
the Red Devils hung on for a 2-1 victory Tuesday.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Howard said. “I don’t think we could have given it
more.”
Before exiting, the U.S. showed the spunk that captured America’s attention.
Julian Green, at 19 the youngest player on the U.S. roster, stuck out his right
foot to volley in Michael Bradley’s pass over the defense in the 107th minute,
two minutes after entering the game.
They nearly tied it up in the 114th, when Clint Dempsey peeled off the ball and
was stopped point-blank by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after being fed by
Bradley on a free kick.
But it wasn’t enough, and U.S. players fell to the field at the final whistle
in their all-white uniforms like so many crumpled tissues.
“I think they made their country proud with this performance,” coach Jurgen
Klinsmann said.
The Americans advanced from a difficult first-round group that included
Germany, Portugal and Ghana to reach the knockout rounds of consecutive World
Cups for the first time. Four years ago, they were eliminated in South Africa by
Ghana 1-0 on a goal in the third minute of extra time.
Fans who had made the trek south of the equator chanting “I believe that we
will win!” could hardly believe they lost, extending a World Cup winless streak
against European nations to nine games over 12 years.
The crowd of 51,227 at Arena Fonte Nova appeared to be about one third
pro-U.S., with 10 percent backing the Belgians and the rest neutral. Back home,
millions watched across the United States in offices, homes and public
gatherings that includes a huge crowd in Chicago’s Soldier Field.
“There’s a lot to build on going forward,” Klinsmann said.
At some large financial firms in Manhattan, 70-inch screens were brought in for
employees to watch. President Barack Obama joined about 200 staffers in an
Executive Office Building auditorium to watch the second half.
“I believe!” he exclaimed as he walked in at the front of the hall. “I
believe!”
That sparked a chorus of the chant, and as Obama took a front-row seat, he said
sheepishly: “I was worried that if I walked in and Belgium scored, I’d get in
trouble.”
Howard, playing the finest game of his career, stopped a dozen shots with his
legs and arms to keep the Americans even through regulation and force an
additional 30 minutes. He wound up with 16 saves.
In its first World Cup under Jurgen Klinsmann, the U.S. had promised to play
attacking soccer. But once again the Americans had trouble maintaining
possession and for much of the night it seemed as if the field were tilted.
Howard, at 35 one of the American veterans, kept saving his team.
But when Matt Besler lost his balance on an attack down the right, Lukaku sped
in alone and crossed in front of the goal. The ball rebounded off defender Omar
Gonzalez, and De Bruyne controlled it, spun and beat Howard just over his right
foot.
Then with the U.S. pushing for an equalizer, De Bruyne burst ahead and fed
Lukaku. He slotted the ball past Howard, his Everton teammate, seeming to put
the Red Devils out of reach.
But Green, among five German-Americans on the U.S. roster and a surprise pick,
woke up the team and its fans with his first touch of the game, setting off
raucous chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” But there would be no final comeback this
time.
“You get to this point and these games are always about a play here and play
there,” Bradley said.
Chris Wondolowski had a chance to win it in stoppage time when Jermaine Jones
flicked the ball to him at the top of the 6-yard box, but with Courtois coming
out Wondolowski put the ball over the crossbar.
“The dream falls short, but this is an incredible group,” Howard said, “and
we’ll never forget this night.”
