After the game was over, and the combination pride/disappointment faded a bit, I realized just how few fouls there were in such a hard-fought game!

I never 'quite' understood why so many games feature almost interminable rough play and careless or intentional fouls. ( Years ago, I watched a team...Croatia, I believe... attempt to win by battering their opponent senseless.)

USA & Belgium proved it is possible to play hard and still refrain from stupid stuff.

The US is indeed working toward better awareness & competence in international play. We DO have way too many other sports that usurp TV time, and that have more timeouts for commercials. 45 minutes without trying to SELL something? Unheard of!