For the first time in nearly 25 years, the U.S. won a World Cup knockout match, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2鈥�0.
Thousands gathered at the FIFA Fan Zone, in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall, where locals mixed with fans who came from across the country and around the world.
Nelson Melendez, who said his family is from El Salvador and that he is a first鈥慻eneration American born at Sibley Hospital, waved Old Glory as he watched the game.
鈥淚 poured the beer on myself and everyone went wild,鈥� he said.
Even though he attended a World Cup match in Philadelphia, he said, 鈥淭his is the best experience of my lifetime.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e here representing America.鈥�
Fans filled the lawn in front of the giant movie鈥憇ize screen. Eighteen鈥憏ear鈥憃ld David Marentette stood as close as he could, saying, 鈥淥nce in a lifetime.鈥�
Fellow District resident Taylor Robinson chose to sit farther back in the bleachers, where she could stay dry.
鈥淟ots of red, white and blue everywhere, lots of cheers,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淎 little hot, not gonna lie, but it鈥檚 nice to be in the energy and celebrate the goal with everybody else.鈥�
Stuart Tewksbury, of Silver Spring, said the atmosphere rivaled matches he鈥檚 seen overseas. 鈥淭his is honestly more exciting than a game I went to in Italy, It鈥檚 absolutely electric.鈥�
Some fans traveled far to be part of the moment. T Hoang and her friend came all the way from California to celebrate America鈥檚 250th, while Santi and his family came even farther, nearly four thousand miles from Bolivia, to cheer on their home country.
鈥淲hen they scored, everyone was so happy jumping and it was incredible,鈥� Santi said.
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