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Thousands Turn Out In Lehigh Valley To Root USA

BETHLEHEM — Many eyes in our area were glued to the World Cup game. Thousands of soccer fans were tuned into several big screens at what could be called t...

BETHLEHEM -- Many eyes in our area were glued to the World Cup game.

Thousands of soccer fans were tuned into several big screens at what could be called the largest World Cup viewing party in this neck of the woods.

Soccer fans were worked up to a frenzy here at this outdoor viewing party in the Lehigh Valley.

As Team USA took on Belgium in the World Cup, patriotic pride was kicked up into over drive at the Steel Stacks in Bethlehem.

“So awesome, I've never been so pumped in my entire life. I love this, every second of it,” said Scotty Brown from Coopersburg. “It's awesome, USA all the way, USA all the way.”

“This is the best day ever, USA, USA, Bethlehem, we love USA," said Jake O’Donnell from Bethlehem.

One group of friends came in from Emmaus to wave their country's colors.

“We just thought we'd throw a bunch of red, white, and blue together because we love our country,” said Sawyer Long.

“It's amazing, I love the atmosphere here, all the people and the excitement and the game and it's great,” said Greg Frederick.

“This is amazing. I'm so proud for America. This is the coolest thing ever. USA all the way,” said Lauren Bradford of Bethlehem. “We're so awesome at soccer.”

But the match was tense one, with the winner moving on and the loser going home.

The crowd was a sea of emotions, knowing just how much was at stake.

In the end, love for country wasn't quite enough to secure that win with Belgium trumping the USA 2 to 1.

“It's disappointing but we'll deal with it," said one fan.

"It's definitely hard when you watch them all through the World Cup for the last couple of weeks and it all comes to an end. There's not much to look forward to anymore,” said another.

Officials at the Steel Stacks say each viewing party of a USA game drew in crowds of up to 10,000 people.

“This sport is the best sport in the history of sports,” yelled a fan.

So what the team may have actually scored is America's love for soccer.

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