The U.S. fought valiantly for 120 minutes however finally fell to a superior opponent, 2-1. Belgium will now go on to face Argentina within the quarterfinals, and the People will head residence.
ASN Slideshow
BY
John Godfrey
Posted
July 01, 2014
6:50 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
AGAINST GHANA AND PORTUGAL, the USA males’s soccer workforce performed on its entrance foot and challenged its opponents. Towards Germany and Belgium, Jurgen Klinsmann’s males couldn’t handle to take action.
Belgium beat the U.S. in additional time, 2-1, a deserved lead to a match it completely dominated. American goalkeeper Tim Howard stored his workforce within the contest with a wide ranging 16-save efficiency, however not even he may preserve a relentless Belgian squad from scoring towards the top of the tense conflict.
The ultimate pictures on objective tally: 18 for Belgium, 5 for the People. It was that form of recreation.
Belgium obtained off to a robust begin and by no means relented. dictated play all through the primary half. Whereas it by no means got here near beating Tim Howard within the first interval, the Europeans did create a couple of first rate possibilities—largely off U.S. turnovers and fast exchanges.
The truth is, the Yanks almost gave up a objective 40 seconds into the match. Earlier than many had settled into their seats in Enviornment Fonte Nova in Salvador, Divock Origi broke in on objective from the appropriate flank and unleashed a low, right-footed shot. Tim Howard pushed it apart, however the tone had been set for the primary half: Belgium was able to play.
The People appeared much less so.
Michael Bradley continued to battle, wanting uncomfortable on the ball and failing to finish many passes. A Bradley giveaway within the 18th minute pressured Geoff Cameron to carry down Dries Mertens on the counter, drawing a yellow card.
Within the twentieth minute, some fast mixture play between Bradley and Dempsey led to the U.S.’ first likelihood on objective. It wasn’t a fairly sequence—Bradley appeared to come across the ball—and Dempsey’s off-balance left-footed shot was caught simply by Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois.
On the half-hour mark, Fabian Johnson pulled up lame and needed to be taken off. DeAndre Yedlin got here in for him, and instantly confirmed promise down the appropriate wing. His blistering tempo gave Belgium issues, however none of his runs created a transparent likelihood on objective.
By the primary 45 minutes, Belgium tried 18 crosses, however solely managed to finish one in every of them. Because the referee whistled for half time, the Yanks appeared fortunate to be tied.
One of the best likelihood of the sport got here within the 54th minute, when Thomas Vertonghen despatched in a cross from the left flank. The ball evaded Gonzalez, skipped previous Matt Besler, after which discovered its approach to Origi on the far put up—however he could not put his foot to it. A couple of minute later Origi headed a cross previous Howard and off the crossbar.
As soon as once more on the entrance foot, Belgian appeared poised to attain. And but, the People held their opponents at bay—through missed alternatives, huge saves from Howard, and determined defending.
On the 72-minute mark Belgium completely managed the sport, however not the scoreboard. Trying to combine thinks up, Klinsmann took off a toothless Graham Zusi and introduced in Chris Wondolowski. The San Jose Earthquakes ahead performed up high, Dempsey dropped again to a withdrawn striker function, and the U.S. instantly seemed extra threatening.
However not in a sustained method. Belgium made changes, and continued to unload shot after shot on the U.S. objective. Thankfully for the People, Howard placed on a goalkeeping clinic. He jumped, dove, and sprawled to maintain the ball out of his objective, anticipating properly and positioning himself completely. Howard actually stored his workforce within the match.
Regardless of Belgian’s dominance, the U.S. had a golden likelihood in stoppage time. Positioned within the middle of the Belgian penalty space, Jermaine Jones gained a 50-50 ball, and nodded it to Wondolowski, who was alone on the appropriate aspect of objective. Wondolowski may have ended the sport in stoppage time, however he rushed his shot and despatched it huge and excessive.
After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee whistled the top of regulation: U.S. 0, Belgian 0.
Belgium modified that scoreline two minutes into additional time.
It began with substitute Romelu Lukaku, who stampeded down the appropriate flank forward of the U.S. protection. He handed again to Kevin De Bruyne, who took his time and despatched in a right-footed shot into the far nook previous Howard.
The U.S. seemed deflated. After which, 12 minutes later, Lukaku put the Belgians forward by two.
The second strike got here on a counter. After a failed U.S. try on objective, Belgium took possession and outhustled the retreating American defenders. De Bruyne launched Lukauku into area, he beat Besler to ball, and lifted a left-footed laser previous Howard to present his workforce a two-goal lead.
However then issues obtained fascinating. Julian Inexperienced, a 19-year-old attacker who hadn’t performed within the match till this match, obtained on the top of a lofted Michael Bradley go within the 107th minute and volleyed it into the again of the Belgium objective, chopping the lead in half. The Yanks weren’t happening with no struggle.
However the People finally ran out of fuel, and time. A trick play on a late free kick nearly led to a objective, however Dempsey could not management the ball in entrance of objective and the possibility flew by the wayside.
After which Belgium ran out the clock expertly, losing time and forcing the weary People to burn vitality and regain possession.
In the long run, the U.S. fell to a superior, extra aggressive opponent. Klinsmann couldn’t discover a approach to make his workforce play attacking, stunning soccer, and a workforce that captivated America will now watch the remainder of the motion on a TV display.
What did you consider the match, and the USA’ run within the 2014 World Cup? Inform us under.
John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
