U.S. Bounced From World Cup By Belgium
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
It was touted as one of the biggest games in U.S. Soccer history. Fans gathered around the country and around the world to watch. But on this day, it was not enough as Belgium defeated the United States 2-1 in extra time.
Both teams traded chances throughout regulation, but neither team was able to score. This was due, in large part, to stellar defending from both teams goalkeepers. Thibaut Courtois for Belgium and Tim Howard for the United States.
Throughout regulation Howard kept the U.S. in the game, making amazing save after amazing save. He ended regulating with 12 saves and finished the game with a U.S. National Team career-high 16 saves. The 16 saves was the most in a World Cup game in over 50 years.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWith both teams unable to score throughout most of regulation, it was a missed goal that will haunt U.S. Soccer fans for the foreseeable future. In stoppage time at the end of the game Chris Wondolowski found himself on the receiving end of a Jermaine Jones pass. Wondolowski had a golden opportunity to put the shot past Courtois in the waning moments of regulation, but sailed the shot high of the net. This miss sent the game into extra time.
Chris Wondolowski's epic short-range miss http://t.co/pYXlrXeGm7 https://t.co/oqSixkj1Zt
— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) July 1, 2014
Klinsmann’s face when Wondo shanked. We think he’s crying. #USAvBEL pic.twitter.com/9us5QsJr10
— Soccer Gods (@soccergods) July 1, 2014
In Extra time, it all went wrong for the U.S. It was in the 93rd minute when Belgium finally broke through Tim Howard for a goal. the goal came off the right foot of Kevin De Bruyne, who had been, arguably, the best player for Belgium in the game. The tally made it 1-0 Belgium with over 27 minutes left in extra time. The goal was the latest official goal ever scored by Belgium.
VINE: Kevin de Bruyne gives Belgium the lead in extra-time… #BEL #USA http://t.co/jcgyoAwvry
— 2014 World Cup (@2014WC_Brazil) July 1, 2014
Belgium broke through Howard again in the 105th minute as they caught the United States too far forward on the attack and Romelu Lukaku scored on the counter attack. That made it 2-0 and the outcome seemed bleak for the U.S.
Supersub #Lukaku makes it 2-0 for #BEL in #extratime. Not even #TImHoward could have saved that #USABEL https://t.co/ub7BId51j9
— Yahoo Singapore (@YahooSG) July 1, 2014
But the U.S. was not done yet. After coming in as a substitute in stoppage time of extra time, Julian Green scored in the 107th minute. Green got the feed on a great pass from Michael Bradley and was the first touch of the game for Green. Green became the youngest U.S. player to score a World Cup goal. This was the latest official goal for the United States and made it 2-1 Belgium.
HERE’S JULIAN GREEN’S GOAL FOR AMERICA WE AIN’T DEAD Y’ALL https://t.co/0nxTiGAA0Y
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 1, 2014
The U.S. had a good chance from Jermaine Jones in the 108th minute, but it was a chance for Clint Dempsey in the 114th minute that had Americans hoping for more. Dempsey got free of the defense and was one-on-one with Courtois but his shot, which would have tied the game, was turned away on an incredible save.
Dempsey with a great chance on the set play. https://t.co/ZSBp005dfn
— RealGM Soccer (@RealGMSoccer) July 1, 2014
In the end the U.S. could not get the equalizer and were bounced from the World Cup in the Round of 16 for the second straight World Cup.
