Locals cheer on USA

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 2, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Scott Ervin and his friends had settled into their normal spots.

Soon, every seat was filled as local fans clamored into East Coast Wings Bar and Grill to see if the United States could defeat Belgium and advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

General conversation filled the air.

Ervin applauded as the USA players stepped onto the field.

The bar grew silent as the national anthem played and applause erupted again as kickoff approached.

"Let's go boys!" someone shouted from a corner.

*

Although its first-half play wasn't stellar and drew some jeers from the fans on TV and in the bar, the USA defense kept its poise.

DaMarcus Beasley's cleat save with goalie Tim Howard out of position drew a collective sigh of relief in the 26th minute. The Belgians dictated the tempo over the next few minutes until the Americans intercepted a pass.

The turnover led to a counter that induced a corner kick.

"That's us! Corner!"

Zusi's kick sailed into the penalty area.

"Come on guys, it only takes one. Get a head on it!"

The ball just missed a USA player and the crowd let out a collective "ohhhh" as it rolled harmlessly -- and untouched -- to the other side of the field.

Neither team seriously threatened the remainder of the half and the two nations entered intermission deadlocked in a scoreless draw.

*

Belgium put the USA on its heels in the early stages of the second half, and had numerous chances to collect the game's first goal.

Martens' kick drifted into the penalty area and Howard, who played brilliant in goal, tapped it over the crossbar. The corner kick resulted in a couple of anxious moments as the USA seemed passive, and let the ball linger inside the 18 box.

"Get it out of there!"

The Belgians had another shot clang off the crossbar and in the 57th minute, Howard made a spectacular cleat save on a shot -- again -- inside the penalty area.

The save electrified the crowd.

"Yeah, Timmy, thatta boy!"

The intensity picked up in the bar as precious time ticked away in yet another heart-stopping knockout-stage contest.

Ervin chewed on his fingernails as he stared at the screen. Jake Donahoe blew into his horn -- either a sign of frustration or exhuberation when the USA stopped a Belgian attack on goal.

Play became chippy as each team clamored to gain possession and push forward. Despite a hard foul on a USA player, the referee signaled the teams to continue play.

"Can we get a call, please? We must be at Cameron Indoor," quipped one fan over the referee's decision. "He rode him like Sea Biscuit."

Laughter erupted from his corner.

"If America wins this, I'll get a tattoo on my (blank)," said another fan.

Howard kept the USA in contention with his phenomenal play. Two remarkable saves preserved the shutout as the clock slipped inside the final minute of regulation.

A sideline official held up the marker that proclaimed three minutes of stoppage time. That was plenty for the Americans, who generated one final attack on goal that brought the bar's fans out of their seat when Chris Wondolowski received a through ball from Michael Bradley.

But Wondolowski's one-touch shot went wide right.

*

Belgium built a two-goal advantage behind Kevin De Bruyne in the 93rd minute and Romelu Lukaku in the 105th.

Down 2-0, the Americans showed the grit that had captured the hearts and attention of the nation in this World Cup. Two minutes after Lukaku's mark, 19-year-old Julian Green -- the third-youngest player in the tournament -- turned a pass from Bradley into a goal.

Chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A" erupted.

Fans implored the Americans to continue their pressure and force a penalty shootout.

"I'll put my money on Tim any day in penalty kicks," said the same fan who remarked the USA must be playing Duke since it couldn't catch a break.

It almost happened.

Seven minutes after Green's goal, Clint Dempsey broke free on a set piece. Bradley passed ahead to Wondolowski, who fed Dempsey.

Belgian keeper Thibault Courtois blocked the shot.

"How did he miss that?" came from somewhere in the crowd.

The Americans couldn't create another opportunity on goal and crumpled to the ground like tissues when the final whistle blew.

Belgium celebrated.

It was yet another World Cup match dripping with drama that left everyone spent.