Dream Run Is Done! Team USA Take 4-1 Loss To Belgium At World Cup

A U.S. World Cup campaign that began with exaltation and promise, with swelling momentum both on the field and across the country, boosting a sport to towering levels, came to a screeching and distressing halt Monday.

With a golden chance to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years — and further galvanize a nation that had embraced this team like no other — the U.S. missed assignments, defended naively and made countless mistakes that Belgium punished with merciless efficiency.

The 4-1 loss at sold-out Lumen Field looked and felt like the Round of 16 loss to the Netherlands four years ago in Qatar. The gap between an elite European side — even a Belgian one past its prime — and the U.S. was profound. “Today wasn’t a good day,” midfielder Tyler Adams said afterward. “It stings. This was a moment to have the opportunity to advance and really try and do something special.

“We fell short.”

The Americans were in trouble from the first minute and, after drawing even on another Malik Tillman free kick, they conceded the go-ahead goal two minutes later and never fully recovered.

While Belgium will face Spain on Friday (3 p.m. ET) in the Los Angeles area, the U.S. will cherish its accomplishments — winning the group after just two matches and winning a knockout game for the first time since 2002 — but also lament its performance when the lights were brightest.

Source: Yahoo