adminRIO DE JANEIRO. — Beaten but unbowed, the United States exited the World Cup soccer finals after losing to Belgium on Tuesday, their disappointment to be going home offset by optimism for the future.
The Americans went down 2-1 in an extra-time thriller that ended with both teams’ players running themselves to the point of exhaustion after one of the best matches of the tournament.
“Obviously it’s a bummer for us to end on the losing side (but) it was a game which gave everything to the fans, to the crowd,” US coach Juergen Klinsmann told reporters.
“It was real drama, a thriller. We had enough possibilities to equalise the game or even put it away earlier. It was a game that just went to the extreme.”
Klinsmann said he could not have asked for any more from his unheralded players, who defied the odds just to make the round of 16, then held on bravely against a skilful, well-organised Belgian team.
The Europeans attacked the United States from the outset, firing a barrage of shots, but were unable to find the net until extra time when Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku scored.
“Every player was at his limits on the field. We knew sooner or later they would hit the wall,” Klinsmann said.
“All the players today went beyond their capabilities. I told them in the locker room they can take a lot of positives back home after this World Cup.
“We worked tremendously over the last few years and found ways to introduce new young players into our programme and develop our game.” — Soccernet.
Online Reporter