Fans at watch party react as US run ends at World Cup
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- World Cup fans in Raleigh experienced a mix of emotions as the United States was eliminated in the Round of 16, falling to Belgium 4-1. But many said they remained proud of the team's performance and the tournament's ability to bring people together.
Fans gathered at local venues to watch the match, moving from excitement to disappointment as the Americans' World Cup run came to an end.
"It's really sad to see us lose like this but hey, it happens. That's the World Cup, baby," said Ryan Winter of Raleigh.
Despite the loss, supporters packed Olé Sports Bar, which has become a gathering place for World Cup fans since opening five months ago. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-NC, said the tournament's global reach is part of what makes it special.
"The bottom line is this -- it's one of the only sporting events that brings people together across every single part of the globe, and we're all rooting for our teams, but we're all doing it together," Ross said.
Olé Sports Bar owner Alejandro Leon Jr. said he and the other owners hoped the business would become a destination for soccer fans and have been pleased by the response.
"That's what we envisioned. We watch soccer and that's kind of like what we had in mind. We're just really happy that it's turned out to be this big," Leon said.
For some fans, the tournament helped strengthen belief in the future of U.S. soccer despite the defeat.
"I feel like this year at least, for me, I've really seen people go and celebrate the U.S. as a team that can win the World Cup as a possibility in the future I think we got it locked. We're gonna win the World Cup at some point," one fan said.
Others embraced the tournament's broader spirit of international competition and camaraderie.
"That was a disappointment but viva Mexico viva la USA," another fan said.
The loss marked a disappointing end for U.S. supporters, while many Mexico fans in Raleigh were also coming off their team's elimination. Even so, fans said they plan to keep following the tournament, drawn by their love of the game and the sense of community it creates.
