Frenzy ends: U.S. loses 2-1 to Belgium in World Cup

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

photo A crowd watches from Miller Plaza as Belgium defeats the United States in their World Cup soccer match in overtime Tuesday.

In the hour before kickoff, Market Street hummed with excitement. At Miller Plaza crowds gathered early to claim a shaded spot to watch the game with other fans.

A few blocks north, employees at Buffalo Wild Wings closed off the entrance to the restaurant's parking lot by 3:15 because it was already full. Men in dress pants trickled in on foot from around downtown to claim a seat.

Even on downtown's Southside, the bar at Urban Stack was full by game time, many of the patrons decked out in patriotic gear. At the same time, the main part of the restaurant, which doesn't have TVs, sat nearly empty.

Unfortunately Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne turned a heroic performance for U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard into defeat Tuesday with an extra-time goal and an assist that gave Belgium a 2-1 soccer World Cup victory and a quarterfinal match against Lionel Messi and Argentina.

With three extra-time goals in a thrilling match, De Bruyne and substitute Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium a big lead before Julian Green closed the gap with 12 minutes to go.