Final Score of Team USA vs. Belgium in 2014 FIFA World Cup

American soccer fans will remember the Herculean efforts of goalkeeper Tim Howard to keep his team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup do-or-die match Tuesday against Belgium.

But his repeated deflections weren’t enough in the end, as the Belgians posted a 2-1 win over the United States, which is now out of the tournament. The game ended regulation play with no score, and Belgium scored a goal right away in the extra period, then a second to move on to the quarterfinals against Argentina.

Julian Green scored the only goal for Team USA, after both Belgian goals had been scored, but it wasn’t enough.

Maryland midfielder Kyle Beckerman, 32, of Crofton was on the bench after starting all of the Americans' matches in the group stage, says ESPN. Instead, coach Jurgen Klinsmann picked Geoff Cameron to start in a new 4-3-3 formation.

And top U.S. striker Jozy Altidore, who left the June 16 game against Ghana early with a hamstring injury, was reportedly ready to play, but sat out.

Few international fans expected the United States to make it out of the Group of Death – which it did with a win over Ghana, a tie with Portugal and a loss to Germany. The favored Belgium team hopes to make it past the Round of 16 for the second time in history, says the Major League Soccer website.

Who do you think of the United States’ showing in the World Cup? Tell us in comments.

Beckerman re-tweeted U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard’s shoutout to fans on Sunday: “For everyone who is supporting this team & joining us on this journey, we thank you!!! Enjoy the ride #USA.”

Beckerman plays professionally for Real Salt Lake.

As part of the “One Nation. One Team. 23 Stories” video series from ussoccer.com, Beckerman says the World Cup fulfills a dream. “For me, that’s what I wanted to be -- a national team player.” Beckerman said. “That was it. I made up my mind back then. So, it’s pretty cool to be here now.” 

Beckerman has played with the Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer team since 2007, the Washington Post reports. He was named captain after his first year.

In his video, Beckerman says that he never went to college -- soccer took priority -- but enjoys reading about history now.

“I wanna play soccer. I wanna play soccer. I could care less about school. I just wanna play,” Beckerman said.