RECORD AMOUNT OF SAVES COULDN’T KEEP TEAM USA ALIVE

Tim Howard 1, Belgium 2. What a wonderful performance from the USA goalie! In a record breaking 17 save effort by Tim Howard, the US Team had a fighting chance to try and advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Never before has a keeper recorded so many saves in a single World Cup game. The Belgium team threw wave after wave of attacks at the US team, and time after time, Howard turned them back for 90 minutes.

At the end of regulation time, both teams headed into overtime with the hope of making a play that would change the game. Belgium was able to put two plays together that combined physical strength, good dribbling, quick thinking and excellent shots to score two goals. But the US did not give up. Michael Bradley played a beautiful pass over the top, to a streaking Julian Green, in behind the Belgium defense, for a shot that found the corner of the net. With 5 minutes remaining the US pushed for a second goal, but it wasn’t meant to be. The game’s final score was Belgium 2 the USA 1.

After another World Cup, the US Team again captured the nation with Team Spirit, and a never say die attitude, that has always given us a chance to compete at the highest level. When the team steps on the field, the fans are ready to cheer, and the players are ready to battle, toe to toe with the best players in the world.

And now, after four games that spanned a month, and 120 minutes, the US dream of making history finally comes to a close. The players will return to the USA where many of them will rejoin their teammates of MLS, while a few others will return to their clubs in Europe. The World Cup will continue until a Champion is crowned on July 13th. But the fans and the players can feel proud about the joy that was experienced, and the hard work that everyone put forth. The passion for soccer is growing in America! The sport has come a long way in a short time. And who knows, one day we just might make history and win the World Cup!

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