USA's World Cup run ends in Belgium loss, Milwaukee watch party still delivers

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The U.S. men's national team's World Cup run ended in a 4-1 loss to Belgium Monday night, July 6, but one of the largest watch parties in Milwaukee still drew a packed crowd to Nomad World Pub on Brady Street.

The bar reached capacity, with a line of fans waiting to get in as the USA scored its lone goal early in the game. The energy dipped when Belgium answered immediately with a second goal, picked back up at halftime, and faded again as Belgium pulled away for the 4-1 win.

"There's no way at all we should be sad right now!" one fan said. Another described the atmosphere before the loss set in: "It was awesome. It was awesome. It was very fun."

There may also be a drying demand for Belgian waffles until the sting of the loss heals. "We're eating pancakes for the rest of our life. No more waffles, Belgium or otherwise. Hell no."

Despite the outcome, staff said it was one of the biggest World Cup watch parties the bar has hosted.

JJ Kovacovich, owner of Nomad, said the crowd was impressive. "Usually about an hour before, we shut the line and everyone's watching from the street or having to go to bars down the street. That's pretty much where we're at."

Nomad plans to keep hosting watch parties as other teams advance to the quarterfinals.