USMNT out to rewrite World Cup pain of epic 2014 loss to Belgium: We have to win

SEATTLE — Long before they were wearing the crest on their chest, they were sitting on couches, huddled around televisions, or glued to highlights that would become part of U.S.soccer folklore.

The Americans’ dramatic Round of 16 loss to Belgium at the 2014 World Cup lives on in memory not because the Americans advanced, but because they refused to break.Twelve years later, the matchup returns almost as if history circled the date itself.

Monday night at Lumen Field, the United States and Belgium once again met in the Round of 16.Only this time, the teenagers who watched Tim Howard produce the greatest goalkeeping performance in World Cup history were the ones carrying America’s hopes.

“I remember that night,” defender Alex Freeman said.“Back in 2014, it was a very, very good team.

As a young player, it gave me belief, just seeing their run.Now, we want revenge.

We want to go and win.Not only for them, but from a few months ago when we played them in March.

That’s in my mind, too.We have to win.

We’re doing this for the nation as well.” Howard’s unforgettable 16-save masterpiece remains the defining image of that afternoon in Salvador, Brazil.Belgium peppered the American goal relentlessly before finally breaking through in extra time behind Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Julian Green answered, Clint Dempsey nearly forced another miracle and the Americans walked away defeated, but with their reputation transformed.For today’s U.S.

players, that performance became part of their soccer education.“I remember watching Tim Howard have the most saves in a World Cup match,” said center back Chris Richards.

“People spoke about that Belgium ‘Golden Generation’ and our boys went toe to toe with them.It’s exciting to be able to reenact it and hopefully the result comes out on our side.” Christian Pulisic smiled when asked about that match.

“I remember we had a really good performance,” the U.S.captain said Sunday.

“We d...