SEATTLE — U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Matt Freese was despondent after his error against Belgium helped endure his team's World Cup elimination.
The U.S. trailed 2-1 early in the second half of Monday's World Cup round of 16 match when disaster struck at the back.
Freese came out of his box to cut out a long pass and chested the ball down. But with Charles De Ketelaere putting pressure on, the goalkeeper fatally hesitated. De Ketelaere blocked Freese's attempted pass and the ball deflected right to Hans Vanaken, who finished from long range with Freese out of the net.
Belgium's third goal took the wind out of the USMNT's sails. Down two goals, the U.S. never again looked like it would recover and conceded a late fourth in a devastating 4-1 defeat to end the tournament.
Freese, of course, was far from the only culprit on the night. Almost every USMNT player looked out of sorts as Belgium had more energy and desire. But the goalkeeper knew that his mistake had been a significant blow.
The U.S. trailed 2-1 early in the second half of Monday's World Cup round of 16 match when disaster struck at the back.
Freese came out of his box to cut out a long pass and chested the ball down. But with Charles De Ketelaere putting pressure on, the goalkeeper fatally hesitated. De Ketelaere blocked Freese's attempted pass and the ball deflected right to Hans Vanaken, who finished from long range with Freese out of the net.
Belgium's third goal took the wind out of the USMNT's sails. Down two goals, the U.S. never again looked like it would recover and conceded a late fourth in a devastating 4-1 defeat to end the tournament.
Freese, of course, was far from the only culprit on the night. Almost every USMNT player looked out of sorts as Belgium had more energy and desire. But the goalkeeper knew that his mistake had been a significant blow.
3 months ago
