CGTN America
American fans jumped on the USA team bandwagon to will their team to victory in the knockout Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.
All across the country, from Miami to Washington D.C., New York and Chicago, work seemingly came to a stop as people watched and rooted for their team in a close match against Belgium.
In the nation’s capital, they filled a sun-baked outdoor plaza by the thousands.
In Miami, there was chanting, music, energy anxiety tears.
Even when it seemed the U.S. team had no chance to come back from a two to nothing deficit, hope never waned.
Rodrigo Jimenez, U.S. football team fan says, “They’ve been playing well, I mean we have to keep up the pressure, we still got seven minutes left so anything can happen, let’s go USA.”
In the end, Belgium hung on to win, two to one. It’s the first time Belgium has qualified for the World Cup since 2002 and the first time since 1930 the U.S. has played against Belgium. Back then the U.S. won his time the Americans were not as fortunate though U.S. fans were proud of their team’s performance.
Dmitri Canic, an U.S. football fan says, “I think it’s pretty impressive. I think they play their hairs self and because of them soccer is becoming more popular in the U.S.”
The story-book ending for the U.S. team has been written. Belgium now moves on to the quarterfinals, to play against Argentina. In the meantime, here in the U.S., despite the loss, there is a new football spirit “kicking in.” CCTV’s Nitza Soledad Perez reports.
