Die Macht » e throws with 3:54 remaining cut Brooklyns lead to 82-75

SALVADOR, Brazil -- They captured the hearts of America -- from coast to coast, big towns and small, all the way to the White House. Capturing the World Cup will have to wait. Just like four years ago, the United States is going home after the round of 16, beaten when Belgium scored twice in extra time Tuesday and then held on for a 2-1 win. "Thirty-one teams get their heart broken," goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "It has to end sometime. It ended a little bit early for us." Playing the finest game of his career, Howard stopped a dozen shots to keep the Americans even through regulation and force an additional 30 minutes. He wound up with 16 saves -- the most in the World Cup since FIFA started keeping track in 2002. Before exiting, the U.S. showed the spunk that won Americas attention. The Belgians built a two-goal lead when Kevin De Bruyne scored in the 93rd minute and Romelu Lukaku in the 105th. But then Julian Green, at 19 the third-youngest player in the tournament, stuck out his right foot to volley in Michael Bradleys pass over the defence in the 107th, two minutes after entering. "I was sure that we would make the second goal and we would go to the penalty shootout," Green said. The Americans nearly did. In the 114th, Clint Dempsey peeled away on a 30-yard free kick by Bradley, who passed ahead to Chris Wondolowski. He fed Dempsey, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois bolted off his line to block the 6-yard shot. At the final whistle, the U.S. players fell to the field in their all-white uniforms like so many crumpled tissues. "They made their country proud with this performance and also with their entire performance in this World Cup," said Jurgen Klinsmann, the former German World Cup champion who took over as coach three years ago. The Americans advanced from a difficult first-round group to reach the knockout rounds of consecutive World Cups for the first time. Four years ago, they were eliminated by Ghana 2-1 on a goal in the third minute of extra time. "Getting to the round of 16, if we dont do that, were very, very disappointed," U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. "We get here and its kind of the swing game. We get beyond here, then its generally viewed as very successful -- this year was a little different because of the group we had in the first round, so that already was a success." The crowd of 51,227 at Arena Fonte Nova appeared to be about one third pro-U.S., with 10 per cent backing the Belgians and the rest neutral. Back home, millions watched in offices, homes and public gatherings that included a huge crowd at Chicagos Soldier Field. President Barack Obama joined about 200 staffers in an Executive Office Building auditorium to watch the second half. "I believe!" he exclaimed as he walked in at the front of the hall. "I believe!" Belgium outshot the U.S. 38-14. The 35-year-old Howard kept the ball out with slides, with dives and with leaps. But he never felt it was his special night. "If this continues, then were in trouble," he recalled thinking. With forward Jozy Altidore still not recovered from the strained hamstring that had sidelined him since the June 16 opener, Klinsmann inserted Wondolowski as a second striker in the 72nd minute. He appeared to have a chance to win it in stoppage time when Jermaine Jones flicked the ball to him at the top of the 6-yard box, but with Courtois coming out, Wondolowski put the ball over the crossbar. While the linesman put out his flag, it was unclear whether he was signalling goal kick or offside. In the third minute of extra time, Matt Besler tried to intercept a pass to Lukaku but fell down as the Belgian striker fought free. Lukaku sped in alone, crossed, and the ball rebounded off defender Omar Gonzalez. Kevin De Bruyne controlled it, took three touches as he spun and beat Howard just over his right foot. "I thought I could make a play on the ball. I took a shot and missed and lost my balance," Besler said. Twelve minutes later, with the U.S. pushing for an equalizer, Bradleys shot was blocked and De Bruyne burst ahead on a counter. He fed Lukaku, who sent the ball over the left shoulder of Howard, his Everton teammate, and seemingly put the game out of reach. But Green, among five German-Americans on the U.S. roster and a surprise pick, woke up the team and its fans with his first touch, setting off raucous chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" There would be no final comeback this time, though. Bradley said the Americans had told themselves that regardless of when their run ended, they wanted to abandon their defensive style of the past. "We wanted to go home going for it," he said. "And," he added with satisfaction, "we did." Haason Reddick Jersey . -- EJ Manuel followed the worst game of his career with the best. Chandler Jones Womens Jersey . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings snap a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 99-70 on Monday night. http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-David-Johnson-Jersey/ . A better question yet may be this: How many times has the same player been involved in both? Morneau hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and helped the Colorado Rockies turn the third triple play in team history as they beat the San Diego Padres 8-6 on Sunday. Adrian Wilson Womens Jersey . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St. Christian Kirk Cardinals Jersey .3 seconds remaining, and No. 7 North Carolina held off a resilient No. 25 Virginia team, 54-51, on Saturday. John Henson contributed a double-double with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who have won five straight and 10 of 11.MILWAUKEE -- Brook Lopez and the Brooklyn Nets needed a strong performance after an embarrassing loss to the New York Knicks. Call it a perfect time for a trip to Milwaukee. Lopez scored 32 points, Joe Johnson had 15 and the Nets beat the lowly Bucks 90-82 on Saturday night. Lopez dominated inside, making 11 of 13 shots from the field. He also had seven rebounds and four assists as Brooklyn bounced back from Thursday nights 113-83 home loss to New York. The Nets had dropped four of five overall. "When you have a player like Brook or Joe, who can also command double teams, youre going to have some shots around the arc that we made tonight," Nets coach Jason Kidd said. "So, everybody pitched in." Alan Anderson added 13 points for Brooklyn, which shot 46 per cent from the field and enjoyed a 41-36 rebounding edge. O.J. Mayo led the Bucks with 22 points and John Henson added 18 points and seven rebounds. Milwaukee has the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 4-16. "We had no answer for Lopez. His size down low was too much for us," Bucks coach Larry Drew said. "We couldnt play him one on one. We tried different things, but he got the ball out to their shooters. We tried everything." Lopez had 20 points in the first half on near-perfect shooting. He also was a defensive presence in the low post. "I just tried to take my time in the post and really read what they were doing," Lopez said. "Just play off that." Milwaukee tried to double team Lopez, put big bodies on him, but nothing worked. He either sank the shot or made the free throw.dddddddddddd "Thats Brook. Thats who he is," Kidd said. "Hes a guy who demands attention. Again, hes seen a lot of double teams in his young career. Hes making all the right plays. Hes letting guys get to their spots. Guys are knocking down shots." Nets forward Kevin Garnett struggled from the field, hitting just 2 of 9 shots while scoring six points, but he had two key fourth-quarter baskets. Brandon Knights two free throws with 3:54 remaining cut Brooklyns lead to 82-75. But Garnett rebounded Johnsons missed 3-pointer at the other end and scored to restore the Nets nine-point advantage. The Bucks closed to 84-78 with 2:38 left on Khris Middletons two foul shots. Lopez then got free under the basket and Johnson found him for an easy dunk, and Garnett hit a 19-foot jumper with 1:42 remaining. Johnson made a 17-foot jumper as the shot clock expired with 43.3 seconds left to put Milwaukee away. NOTES: The Nets and Bucks held a pregame moment of silence in honour South African leader Nelson Mandela, who died Thursday. ... Lopez extended his double-digit scoring streak to 37 games dating to Feb. 26. ... Milwaukee was without F Caron Butler (sore left knee) for the sixth straight game and C Zaza Pachulia (sprained right foot) for his second game in a row. ... For the Nets, F Andrei Kirilenko (sore back) missed his 16th consecutive game, guards Jason Terry (bruised left knee) and Deron Williams (sprained left ankle) each missed their ninth straight and F Paul Pierce (broken right hand) wont be back for two to four weeks. ' ' '