Everton keeper Tim Howard says he fell short of fulfilling his American Dream despite a record-breaking World Cup last-16 performance between the sticks for the USA.
Howard, 35, made 15 saves against Belgium – the most ever recorded in a World Cup game – but could not prevent the Stars and Stripes falling to a 2-1 defeat after extra time.
America's' run to the second round as seen football's popularity surge across the Atlantic, with huge crowds watching games on big screens throughout the country.
But Howard admits they wanted to make even more of an impact in Brazil.
"We dreamed and we fell short of our dream," Howard said. "But I think to get out of the group of death [alongside Germany, Portugal and Ghana] and then coming up against the Belgian team was a tough assignment.
"We were right there. We nearly had it, so hats off to the way we played.
"The amount of saves I made doesn't really matter to me. That's what I am assigned to do.
"It's part of the job and it hurts when we lose, so whether I had no saves or 20 saves, it doesn't mean any more or less.
"We played our hearts out, but it hurts. Losing always hurts. And having played so well, it stings that much more."
Howard's defiance was eventually broken by former Chelsea winger Kevin De Bruyne early on in extra time, before Romelu Lukaku added a crucial second in Salvador.
A goal from substitute Julian Green, who volleyed brilliantly past Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois, offered hope and Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey both had chances to take the match to penalties.
However, Howard says America will be back stronger for their near miss.
"We are proud of ourselves and this is a young group, so we'll be back," he added.
"We are hungry and we've tasted what it feels like to play against the best players in the world, the best players around Europe. So hopefully we will be back for more."
