World Cup: U.S. fans react on social media during loss to Belgium

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U.S. fans in Redondo Beach react during the American soccer team’s loss to Belgium on Tuesday. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

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In Redondo Beach, the mood is somber after the U.S. soccer team’s loss to Belgium in a thrilling World Cup match. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

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The end of the U.S.-Belgium World Cup match -- which Belgium won, 2-1 -- is a sad moment for American fans at a viewing party in Redondo Beach. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

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U.S. fans watching in Redondo Beach react to the U.S. team’s loss to Belgium on Tuesday. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

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A soccer fan kneels in disappointment after the U.S. World Cup loss to Belgium on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Soccer fans on Pine Ave. in Long Beach watch Tuesday’s World Cup matchup between the U.S. and Belgium. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Jared Goldstein (left) and Daniel Zar (right) react after the United States scores during Tuesday’s loss to Belgium in the World Cup. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Mayor Eric Garcetti chats with patrons at Buffalo Wild Wings near the Crenshaw Mall as they watch the U.S. play Belgium in World Cup on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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A fan waves the American flag at The Bunker Hill Bar & Grill in downtown Los Angeles while watching the U.S. play Belgium in the World Cup on Tuesday. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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U.S. midfielder Jermaine Jones reacts following the team’s 2-1 loss to Belgium at the World Cup on Tuesday. (Yuri Kochetkov / EPA)

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U.S. head coach Juergen Klinsmann reacts during extra time. (Matt Dunham / Associated Press)

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Clint Dempsey gives a thumbs up to U.S. fans after losing to Belgium, 2-1, in extra time. (Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press)

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Geoff Cameron, left, and Julian Green sit on the pitch after losing to Belgium. (Themba Hadebe / Associated Press)

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Fans in New York City come to terms with the United States’ loss to Belgium. (Andrew Burton / Getty Images)

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Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring the opening goal against the U.S. (Matt Dunham / Associated Press)

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Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne scores the opening goal against the United States during extra time. (Matt Dunham / Associated Press)

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Tim Howard stops the shot of Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen, one of numerous saves that kept the U.S. alive through the first 90 minutes of play. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

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Jermaine Jones of the U.S. challenges Belgium’s Toby Alderweireld for the ball. (Themba Hadebe / Associated Press)

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Fans in Redondo Beach react to a shot by the United States during second-half action against Belgium. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

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Tasia Vlahakis, 19, and her boyfriend Matt Clayton, 19, join other fans in Redondo beach to cheer on the United States during their match against Belgium. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans at the Redondo Beach pier cheer as the United States takes on Belgium in the World Cup. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans on Pine Avenue in Long Beach watch the United States take on Belgium in the World Cup. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans gather at The Bunker Hill Bar and Grill in downtown Los Angeles to watch the United States and Belgium in the World Cup. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Jermaine Jones controls the ball during the first half. (Guillaume Horcajuelo / EPA)

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The United States’ defense has to work hard to keep Belgium from scoring. (Themba Hadebe / Associated Press)

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U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard stretches to make a save during the first half. (Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

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Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, center, gets in a shot. (Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

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Geoff Cameron heads the ball past Belgium’s Daniel Van Buyten toward the Belgian goal. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

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Alejandro Bedoya of the U.S. is tripped by Belgium’s Toby Alderweireld during the teams’ World Cup round of 16 soccer match. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

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A fan shows off his stars and stripes before Tuesday’s match. (Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press)

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Fans in Salvador, Brazil, cheer before Tuesday’s match. (Felipe Dana / Associated Press)

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Belgian fans prepare for Tuesday’s match in Salvador, Brazil. (Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

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Fans at a viewing party in Indianapolis cheer before the start of Tuesday’s U.S.-Belgium match at the World Cup. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

By Samantha Zuba

July 1, 2014 4:32 PM PT

“I believe that we will win.”

The phrase is defiant, proud, optimistic. And to many Twitter users, it was one thing above all else: American.

The believers didn’t get their win, as the U.S. lost, 2-1, to Belgium in the World Cup. But at times, it looked like the U.S. might just make it happen. Fans on social media sure thought so.

Nineteen-year-old Julian Green provided a shot of hope in the 107th minute with a goal shortly after entering the game, and Twitter lit up with mentions of Green.

U.S. soccer player Stuart Holden tweeted: Julian Green will break twitter if he scores again!!! Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!

Fans reacted in awe to Green’s goal, which cut Belgium’s extra-time lead in half.

Will Graham wrote: Julian Green thoo. He’s 19 and scored on his first touch in his first ever World Cup match. Insane.

Green and DeAndre Yedlin, 20, kept belief alive for the future.

Kyle Pujats tweeted: That final goal from Julian Green is the difference between devastation and hope looking into the next World Cup. #USA #NeverStopBelieving

Joe Fann weighed in on Yedlin, who played most of the game after coming on for an injured Fabian Johnson: Yedlin looks more fearless than 90% of the #USMNT roster. I’m not worried about him at all.

Tim Howard fed belief in Team USA throughout the match with save after save — 16 to be exact.

After Howard opened the second half with four saves on four good Belgian chances, Daisy Monk tweeted: Bow down to Tim Howard. #USAvsBEL #USMNT #WorldCup2014

Nate Rawlings summed up Howard’s performance: Webster has officially revised the spelling of “brick wall” to “T-I-M (space) H-O-W-A-R-D” #usmnt #usa #soccer

As Howard made saves with both his hands and feet, Twitter users suggested ways to honor the veteran goalkeeper for his performance.

David Marine proposed: Tim Howard for President. #USMNT #WorldCup2014

Bryan Parker went a step further: Can we put tim Howard’s face on MT Rushmore? #AmericanHero #USMNT

Before the game started, fans in Brazil and across the country posted photos on Twitter and Instagram, showcasing their belief with red, white and blue.

With the words, “He believes that we will win,” ESPN tweeted a photo of a young fan decked out with a red bandana, stars-and-stripes face paint and a red-white-and-blue Mohawk.

The FIFA World Cup Instagram account posted a picture of another U.S.-themed Mohawk with “I believe” written on the side of the man’s head and an American flag painted across his face.

Major League Soccer tweeted a photo of tens of thousands of fans gathered at Soldier Field for an outdoor game watch: America <3s soccer. MT @ussoccer: Soldier Field is rockin’ for the #BELvUSA viewing party.

Fans like Chris Nicolini refused to give up hope until time officially ran out: Lot’s of time left... Let’s go #USA ! #USMNT #USAvsBEL #WorldCup2014

Time’s up for the U.S. but only on Brazil 2014, as David Secor would tell you: Team of Champions, Playing like Heroes Can’t wait for 2018 #USA

Twitter: @szuuuubes