Despite a 1-0 loss to soccer powerhouse Germany, fans of the U.S. team celebrated Thursday as the American squad advanced out of group play for the first time in consecutive World Cups. Millions of people in the U.S. watched the game in bars, parks, offices and living rooms. “Even when we lose, we still win!” a group of fans shouted over and over at Grant Park in Chicago. WatchESPN had a record-breaking day, with 1.7 million concurrent users during the match. Google searches related to the match were higher than anything else during the game. "Can you imagine this 10 years ago? Never would have happened," said one fan at Dupont Circle Park in Washington D.C. "Soccer has grown so much in our country."
