CRANBERRY TWP — Instead of the typical Pittsburgh black and gold, many patrons at Buffalo Wild Wings on Tuesday afternoon donned the American stars and stripes.

The bar was nearly full when the United States Men's National Team took on Belgium in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The U.S. eventually lost the match 2-1, but it was scoreless for all 90 minutes of regulation play, keeping more than 200 fans on the edges of their seats. Several times the crowd chanted “USA” or the unofficial motto of the fans “I believe that we will win” in reaction to saves or scoring chances.

Despite the team's loss and elimination, many of the soccer fans said they were impressed by the showing by the U.S. team, which kept their interest high in the tournament.

Andrew Gryskewicz of Evans City said he has gotten more interested in soccer in recent years and thinks the sport is growing in popularity.

“The U.S. is doing well, and I think America is starting to break away from the football and hockey sinkhole they were in,” he said.

Cage Galupi of Wexford said the tournament turned him into a soccer fan for a few weeks.

“I've never been a big soccer fan, but this one has got me hooked. The way the first game started with the (Clint) Dempsey goal, I was hooked,” he said.

Others said they came to watch the game with a large group and enjoy the camaraderie.

Greg Smolinski, a German teacher in the Seneca Valley School District, came to watch the game with other foreign language teachers from the district. Watching the games with a large group is a European tradition, he said.

“People in Europe stop what they are doing and cheer together for their country when the World Cup is on. There is a sense of community from people cheering together,” he said.

Brandon Stephenson, who is visiting from Wisconsin, said he came to watch the game with fellow fans.

“I came here anticipating a good atmosphere, with people who maybe skipped out of work early to see the game,” he said.

Restaurant general manager Kristen Wofford said the tournament has been good for business. Even when they take place in the middle of a weekday, the U.S. games have brought raucous crowds in, she said.

“The crowds are awesome. We love when people come out and support the national team,” Wofford said.

Spectators have included adults, but also children dressed in USA jerseys, she said.

“Cranberry has a good soccer base,” she said.

In celebration of the tournament, which occurs every four years, the restaurant gives away free paper crowns for children and holds a “Best Dressed Fan” competition at halftime.

Matt Harbison of Butler won the Best Dressed title Tuesday, which earned him a free T-shirt. He was dressed in red, white and blue with an American flag top hat, and carried a vuvuzela, which is a plastic horn which makes a loud monotone sound.

Harbison said he loves the drama and unpredictability of the tournament and loves cheering for his home country.

“I enjoy supporting our national team, it's a good way to be patriotic,” he said.

In Butler at the Monroe Hotel, soccer fans started gathering about a half an hour before the 4 p.m. game.

One of them was Jay Ruggiero of Butler, a lifelong soccer fan.

“There's a reason it's the biggest sport in the world except in the United States,” Ruggiero said.

As a longtime fan and player, he said he has better appreciation of the game than those who have not played the sport.

“You can watch the plays develop,” Ruggiero said.

He said he liked the U.S. team, and although he was surprised that Landon Donovan was left off the roster, he said it seems like the team was gelling.

Kemp Hammonds, who lives in Thailand but is originally from Butler and has spent a few months visiting in Butler, said that he played soccer when he was younger, but has gotten more into the sport as he has lived overseas where the game is more popular.

He thought the U.S. team has done well, noting that this is the first time that the team has gone on to the second round in back to back World Cups.

“I think we've overachieved,” Hammonds said.

Before the game, he said he felt the U.S. team would win Tuesday.

“Today, I'm optimistic. I think we have a good chance to win today,” Hammonds said.

Pat McIntyre of Butler also was optimistic before the game began.

Hammonds noted that neither he nor McIntyre were dressed up for the game.

“I guess we're not diehards,” Hammonds said.

However, Mike Menchyk of Butler was. He was decked out in a red and blue USA scarf and a U.S. team jersey, which he noted was from the 2008 World Cup.

“I guess that it shows I'm not a bandwagon jumper,” Menchyk said.

He said that U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann has made some surprising roster selections, but he said that has brought younger, fresher faces to the team.

“So far, it looks like his decisions have paid off,” Menchyk said.

Although he could watch the game at home, he said it is fun to watch in public.

“It's the camaraderie,” Menchyk said.

Eagle staff writer John Bojarski contributed to this report.