Long faces, but chins up for U.S. fans

RIO DE JANEIRO – It was all long faces, but heads held high, for the legion of American fans who traveled to Brazil for the World Cup, only to watch their team lose 2-1 to Belgium in extra time.

Upward of 20,000 people, mostly Americans, packed Copacabana beach in front of a giant TV screen set up in the FIFA Fan Fest area.

Like many fans, Travis Rood, a 28-year-old from Seattle, his face painted red, white and blue and an American flag draped around his shoulder, started to leave the beach after Belgium went up 2-0.

But Rood froze in his tracks and turned around after the U.S. scored a late goal to spark hope that ultimately faded with the final whistle.

“This World Cup was a turning point for us,” he said. “People around the world are beginning to respect us as a team.” – Associated Press