World Cup: USA 1 Belgium 2

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Brazil 2014

World Cup: USA 1 Belgium 2

What a game, just not quite enough for Team USA. At the end they gave it everything. Well played, but the World Cup dream is over -- until 2018.

We were so happy to be with you and Team USA today! Your CNN team was Rachel Clarke (defender, Arsenal fan,) Dorrine Mendoza (6th grade goalie) and the amazing knowledge and heart of Eliott McLaughlin -- speediest typing fingers in the West.

For those new to our coverage, we'll bring you all we can but we're going to be unashamedly partisan. Go USA! WE BELIEVE :-)

3rd & 7 37yd

Who is Divock Origi?

This guy is all over us right now. He's only 19 years old and was a bit of a surprise pick for the squad, but he's proving himself right now.

Luckily for the USA, so is our defense.

by Rachel Clarke 7/1/2014 9:24:57 PM

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I hear you knockin' but you can't come in

Belgium is owning the possession in the second half, and they've spent a lot of time in the U.S. half, but Team USA's defense keeps making big plays.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:24:51 PM

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Foot in

Belgium launches a field-long counter attack, but doesn't have enough men forward. Kevin DeBruyne takes a shot from about 20 yards out, but Geoff Cameron makes sure it doesn't pester Tim Howard.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:22:07 PM

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Who went to IHOP this morning so we can say the US eats Belgians for breakfast?Lothar_of_the_Hill_Peopleat 5:21 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:21:42 PM

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First Belgian sub

Mertens will leave the game after that chance, as Kevin Mirallas will join the Belgian midfield in the 60th minute.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:19:54 PM

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If we win, the next match in on July 4th.Darrellat 5:17 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:19:32 PM

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Wanted: possession

Team USA can't seem to keep the ball. Oriji dances around in the box and puts a dangerous ball in, which Mertens pokes wide.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:18:38 PM

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Zusi!

Finally, a U.S. opportunity, but Graham Zusi smashes it right into a defender from a few yards out. Belgium lucky to have its men back there.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:16:39 PM

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Who is covering Vertonghen?

He keeps getting forward. Tim Howard has to stop another shot with a kick save.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:15:53 PM

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Woodwork

Divock Origi gets a head on a long cross and hits the top of the crossbar. Phew!

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:15:09 PM

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Up close look at @TimHowardGK 's save. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrfOQ9sCEAAKXqn.png

by U.S. Soccer via twitter 7/1/2014 9:13:56 PM
A little luck

Jan Vertonghen gets forward again and puts a great cross into the box, but neither Kevin DeBruyne nor Divock Origi can get on the end of it.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:13:40 PM

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If the game follows a trend

If the game is still level at the end of this half, they'll play an extra 30 minutes -- 15 minutes each way. There's no "golden goal" here where the game is stopped if a goal is scored.

If the score is still even after extra time, there are penalty kicks. Five shots for each side, or as many as it takes for someone to get ahead.

That's wayyyyy too nerve-wracking. So COME ON USA! Let's get this done now!

by Rachel Clarke 7/1/2014 9:12:56 PM

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Shift in possession

Belgium looking to alter those possession stats from the first half. They haven't given the ball up much, and most of the second half has been played in the U.S. half.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:12:21 PM

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Defensive posture

USA has nine men back, and doesn't look like a threat to attack. Marouane Fellaini gets the ball and fires a shot from outer space -- 40-yarder maybe? -- but it's no threat to Howard.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:11:05 PM

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We still believe, of course we do!

by Rachel Clarke 7/1/2014 9:08:50 PM

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Lots of men forward

Belgium displays some nice passing across the top of the box, but Mertens' final touch is a terrible cross that goes behind the goal.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:08:33 PM

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#USMNT @J_Klinsmann on the sideline...what's your next move if you're the #USA head coach? #1N1T http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrfMZy-CAAAfkGo.png

by U.S. Soccer via twitter 7/1/2014 9:06:51 PM
Tip drill!

TIMMY again! Man, Dries Mertens put a frightening header on goal and Howard pokes it over the crossbar. Belgium responds with a pretty ugly corner kick.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:06:17 PM

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Final touches lacking

Both teams have a tidy pass completion ratio -- about seven out of 10 -- but neither has been able to get that final touch to change the scoreboard. It'll be interesting to see if either team changes its strategy in the second half.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:05:21 PM

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on pins and needles againNik in NC.......Go...at 4:20 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:04:47 PM

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Lord! How am I supposed to get any work done, on the edge of my seat!A-Town Brianat 4:26 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:04:00 PM

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We're off

Second half begins.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:03:44 PM

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This is a high tempo game that does not suit the USA unless they score! Belgium will only get more dangerous!Ifoat 4:41 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:03:30 PM

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Great game Belgium x USA !Robertoat 4:49 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:03:20 PM

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That was a smashing first half by USA. I know we win the game! U r the champs! Get going!That was an aweskmeat 4:51 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:03:11 PM

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Here in Brazil giving my support team USAFabricioat 4:57 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:02:59 PM

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This has been a really fun half, but the US needs to score first if they want a shot at the 1/4 finals. The Red Devils are going to increase their attacks. This game will by whoever wins the midfield battle, and the US needs to assert itself in that department which it hasn't so far...Look for another high tempo 2nd half and for Belgium to try to use Harzard much more. Can the US take advantage of any counter-attack???Ifoat 4:59 PM

by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:02:41 PM

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Bird's-eye view

The possession is evenly split, with Team USA having -- surprisingly -- a slight edge, but what has to worry Jurgen Klinsmann is that shot count. Belgium has taken nine, eight of them on target, where the USA has mustered only one on target out of two attempts.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 9:02:24 PM

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Celebrities, politicians and sports stars spending the afternoon just like everyone else, using social media to cheer on Team USA
So pumped for #USAvsBEL ..my boy Clint Dempsey is going to take us all the way! #worldcup #seattle #america
by Russell Wilson via Facebook

John Kerry
@JohnKerry
En route to #Panama, but made sure to pack my #USMNT jersey for tmw’s #USA v #BEL game. #1N1T http://t.co/Nhy5wjOfwV
Jun. 30, 2014
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Barack Obama
@BarackObama
"Go Team USA." —President Obama #USMNT http://t.co/diNCsSvQ3T
Jul. 1, 2014
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#IBelieve that I will be wearing this shirt again. Good luck! #USA #OneNationOneTeam
by Arnold Schwarzenegger via Facebook
‘NUFF SAID #ONENATIONONETEAM #STRIVEFORGREATNESS #IPROMISE
by LeBron James via Facebook

Rihanna
@rihanna
I need a goal in the first half , thank you Belgium!!!!
Jul. 1, 2014
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Eva Longoria
@EvaLongoria
#USA #USA #USA #WORLDCUP!!!!
Jul. 1, 2014
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1 of 7
by Dorrine Mendoza 7/1/2014 9:00:18 PM

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Take a break everyone

The players will be off the pitch for about 15 minutes. Here are some amazing shots to look at while you wait.
CNN Photos
@CNNPhotos
With about 1,100 still photographers at the #WorldCup, we’ve got today's best photos http://t.co/VrHsGmsDHr #BELvsUSA http://t.co/Agmt2y9ncd
Jul. 1, 2014
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by Rachel Clarke 7/1/2014 8:58:13 PM

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HALFTIME #BEL 0-0 #USA No goals but some intriguing action so far -- who will triumph? Latest scores: cnn.it/1hXyD6d #CNNWorldCup

by CNN Football Club via twitter 7/1/2014 8:55:48 PM
Time for Mr. Altidore?

It probably won't happen, but Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya have been kind of quiet in the first half. Might the U.S. attack be more potent with a Jozy Altidore injection? It sure would make things interesting.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:54:28 PM

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Nil-nil

USA and Belgium will head to the locker rooms with the score 0-0. It could be said that Belgium had more chances, but the USA has been no slouch. They've put the fright into the Red Devils a few times.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:49:22 PM

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Fabulous defense by Howard! Go USA go!Perkpinkyat 4:48 PM

US needs Possesion. Come on USA!!!!! #ibelieveBrian Sat 4:43 PM

This is a high tempo game that does not suit the USA unless they score! Belgium will only get more dangerous!Ifoat 4:41 PM

by Rachel Clarke 7/1/2014 8:48:40 PM

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Extra time

Three minutes added. This will go to halftime any second.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:48:04 PM

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Belgium threatening late

Eden Hazard takes on a double team and earns the corner. Jermaine Jones with a nice clearance again.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:47:32 PM

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TIMMY! again

Kevin DeBruyne puts a nice shot on goal from distance, but Howard is there.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:46:34 PM

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Warning

Marouane Fellaini gets a warning after saying something to the referee. He's been chirping at the ref the whole game. USA gets another corner and look dangerous,

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:45:54 PM

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Thank you Tim

There have been a whole lot of reasons to love our goalie this half.

by Rachel Clarke 7/1/2014 8:45:48 PM

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Not screaming at the TV at work is really, REALLY hard. #USAvsBEL

by Mallory Simon via twitter 7/1/2014 8:44:11 PM
Good punch

Tim Howard steps out of his goal to punch out a Belgian corner.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:43:59 PM

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Diagnosis

Fabian Johnson has a strained left hamstring. Same injury Jozy Altidore suffered in the Ghana game.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:43:31 PM

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Captain gets a yellow

Vincent Kompany makes a sloppy tackle on Clint Dempsey and gets a yellow card. That's good news. Not only is Kompany banged up, but now he'll have to play a little more carefully in the middle of that Belgian defense.

by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:42:59 PM

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Nice cross

Yedlin with another nice piece of work to get a cross into the box, but the U.S. can't get on the end of it. Belgian sees that wasted opportunity and raises the U.S. a wasted chance on the other end.
U.S. Soccer
@ussoccer
Yedlin with a cross to the far post for Dempsey! Van Buyten back to head away. Now Zusi puts it in; cleared again. #USAvBEL 0-0, 39'
Jul. 1, 2014
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by eliott.mclaughlin 7/1/2014 8:41:58 PM

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