The stupendous run of the USMNT was halted short in the Round of 16 in Salvador on Tuesday. Belgium beat the United States 2-1 in extra time, finding both of their goals past the 90 minute mark.
The game started out poorly for the USA. In the first minute, Kevin De Bruyne spurred a break which - through a series of passes - landed at Divock Origi's feet. The Belgian fired on goal, but Tim Howard easily made the save. It was the first of his 16 saves, the most in a World Cup since 1966, and the U.S. needed every one of them throughout the match.
The game in its entirety was similar to the opening play. Belgium controlled possession for most of the match, and Tim Howard was called upon time and time again to save the day. He answered the bell every time.
The U.S. had some chances throughout the first half, but none were really threatening on stout goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Chelsea man, who was on loan to Atletico Madrid this past season, handled any scares for the Belgians beautifully. At the 31’ mark, Fabian Johnson, who has been a key figure for the U.S., was subbed out for DeAndre Yedlin due to a strained hamstring (the same injury that took Jozy Altidore out of the World Cup). The U.S. didn’t lose any pace on the right side following the substitution. Yedlin did well from the moment he stepped on the pitch and the game continued.
The second half was the real start of the Belgian attack. De Bruyne was all over the pitch as the U.S. held strong in their back line. Belgium had a stellar oportunity at the 59' when Origi smashed a header off the crossbar, and their chances only grew. But Omar Gonzalez had another great performance for the U.S. and Tim Howard repeatedly came up big. Here are a couple crucial saves by Howard:
Then, after defending their hearts out, substitution Chris Wondolowski received a gift right on the 6-yard box in the last minutes of the match. The header from Jermaine Jones was shanked by the San Jose Earthquakes striker, and the chance for an epic finish passed by the USA. It is one that will probably haunt Wondo for the rest of his life.
This was the fifth match in the Round of 16 to go into extra time, and like the others, the team who was repeatedly defending and saved by their goalkeeper surrendered the first goal. Matt Besler fell down, springing a break by Romelu Lukaku, and his cross found De Bruyne. De Bruyne - who was a constant hassle for the U.S. - finally created some space inside the box and fired a right footed blast past Tim Howard.
The score came early, leaving the U.S. plenty of time to find an equalizer, but right before half-time of extra time, Kevin De Bruyne once again found himself on the ball and freed up a cutting Romelu Lukaku who burned a sleeping Matt Besler to give the Belgians a pass to the quarterfinals.
As we know, however, the U.S. didn’t quit. Jurgen Klinsmann brought on 19-year-old Julian Green for his first World Cup appearance. Some thought that it was the "waiving of the white flag" by Klinsmann that actually brought results for the USA. Two minutes after the break, Green received a lovely ball from Michael Bradley and volley’d it past Courtois for his first-ever goal for the United States in his first 2 minutes on the pitch.
The U.S. then sent everything they had for an equalizer. Seven minutes later the U.S. earned a free kick, and a lovely training-ground move placed Clint Dempsey inside the box, but Captain America couldn’t finish and the U.S. remained down a goal.
Four minutes later, Jermaine Jones flicked a Wondolowski header just wide of the post and that was the real last chance for the Americans.
The U.S. had their chances, but in the end couldn't provide man of the match Tim Howard with much support - and, crucially, couldn't capitalize when it counted. The whistle blew after a questionable one minute added by the referee, ending the United States run at this World Cup. Jurgen Klinsmann and the rest of the USMNT did more than most expected in Brazil. They fought their way out of the group of death, and did so minus one of their biggest attacking threats in Jozy Altidore.
Tim Howard did everything he could to stop Belgium, recording 16 saves, the most in a World Cup since 1966. (Photo: @SInow |Twitter)
No one can be disheartened by the effort the U.S. put forth. The nation was captivated by their performance and the support they received was something the country has never seen when it comes to futbol, or should I say "soccer."
For some American soccer fans, the rush and love for the USMNT may end. For others, we still have the Gold Cup, Copa America, and another Gold Cup before the 2018 World Cup in Russia (also a USWNT showing at the Women's World Cup in Canada). In a New York Times article written by Sam Borden, U.S. assistant coach Andreas Herzog said “Jurgen wants to build. He wants to have a plan. He loves to talk about what’s next.” We’re at that point. Despite Donovan being left off the squad, I think it’s fair to say Klinsmann has a blueprint for the USMNT incorporating versatile tactics with the American never-say-die attitude. He has the keys to the entire program and the performance at the World Cup warrants him to do what he pleases. He has done a great job recruiting talent with American ties and has competed with some of the world's strongest teams.
A team can change a lot in four years. The spectacular Tim Howard will be 39 by 2018 and Clint Dempsey will be 35. Michael Bradley will be still be useful at the age of 30, but the next time this team is on a World Cup stage it will likely be a different group. The U.S. have plenty of younger talent coming up and Jurgen did a great job implementing the younger players. Omar Gonzalez will still be around, while DeAndre Yedlin, John Brooks and Julian Green all got some much needed experience. In the now dangerous CONCACAF, with the likes of Mexico and Costa Rica, the U.S. will have good competition going forward. It’s always easier said then done after these results, but once you get past the sadness, new and old fans should be nothing but optimistic when it comes to futbol and the USNMNT. Great run lads, we’ll see you in four years and thanks for the ride.
You can find The18 writer Bryce Badwan at @BBadss on Twitter.
