FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, but it’s often overlooked in the U.S. – until this year.

Fans packed the Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno Monday, anxious for team USA’s match against Belgium.

“I decided to come just to support my team and my country. You know, we made it this far, so I’m very excited,” USA fan Ramzee Hamm said.

Fans were decked out in jerseys and American flags, but many do not even usually watch soccer.

“Well, I got invited here, of course, but I haven’t watched soccer, so I want to start getting into it,” USA fan Ramzee Hamm said.

“I think it’s great. I think it involves a lot of opportunities for a lot of Americans to get into soccer – or football, as most people call it. I think this is a great opportunity for us to be able to come out here and support our team, to support our country. This is the farthest that we’ve made it in a very long time. So I think we need to be proud of the amount of people that we brought into our situation. It’s very exciting,” Love said.

The last time the USA beat Belgium in the World Cup was in 1930 with a 3-0 final score.

That statistic changed Monday, with Belgium beating the U.S. 4-1.

The entire crowd groaned in chorus every time Belgium scored – except for Alexandros Acedo, who sat at the back of the room as the lone Belgium fan.

“I’m not really rooting for the United States, to be honest. So I was like, when Belgium scored the first ball, I was a little pleased,” Acedo said. “My wife and my children especially were really disappointed in me.”

Team USA fans left the ballroom with their heads held surprisingly high, proud of how the United States Men’s National Team performed, and excited to welcome the next generation to the fanbase.

Acedo’s head was definitely a little higher than everyone else’s, though.

Belgium will now face Spain in round eight in LA on Friday.