ARLINGTON, Texas — The U.S. men’s national soccer team celebrated its first knockout round victory in over 20 years at the FIFA World Cup, and with America’s 250th birthday celebrations underway, the reaction from fans in Dallas showed their excitement and patriotism for both milestones.
Team USA’s last knockout round victory was in 2002, and on Wednesday night, fans witnessed their 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fans showed up and showed out, dressing for the occasion by wearing their red, white and blue and colonial-style costumes fitting for the nation’s 250th birthday.
They’re now looking ahead to the team’s matchup against Belgium in Seattle in the round of 16. It won’t include striker Folarin Balogun after he was sent off with a red card in the second half of Wednesday’s game.
There was no sign that fans had any concerns about the next match after the red card situation. In fact, they shared their optimism that Team USA will go all the way to the finals.
Canada and Morocco will face off on July 4 for what will be the last match in Houston.