I stopped counting somewhere around 40, but it seemed like the massive crowd gathered on the scorching asphalt surface of Freedom Plaza yesterday couldn’t go five minutes without breaking into a “USA! USA!” chant.

And why shouldn’t they? Yesterday, the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team played Belgium in the round of 16 of the World Cup. Whether you’re a soccer fan or not, it was a big game and, as anyone in D.C. can attest to, it’s hard not to be drawn to the blind nationalism associated with a world wide sporting event like the World Cup.

Due to a lack of funding, the organizers of the massive USA-Germany World Cup watch party couldn’t organize another one at Dupont Circle. So, the city stepped in to organize one just across from the John A. Wilson Building, on Freedom Plaza. Thousands gathered, including your intrepid Associate Editor, to watch the intense game under the oppressive, glaring sun. Seriously, I’m no meteorologist, but it had to be at least one million degrees. It was, by all estimation, the sweatiest watch party in the city.

Decked out in USA gear, thousands skipped work (or, by the informal survey I took talking to people, were given permission to leave, or just weren’t working at the time) to cheer on our country. Hosted by DowntownDC BID, Events DC, Pepco, CBS 94.7, and D.C. United, and Akridge (the last two parties closely involved in a deal with the city to build a new soccer stadium), the scene at Freedom Plaza wasn’t unlike shots of the scene at the soccer stadium in Brazil, except for far less Belgian fans (I think I found the only four in the entire Plaza).

The crowd broke out into chants of “USA! USA!,” the annoyingly eponymous “I believe!,” and, for some reason, the melody of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” which often happens at Nationals games. With Mayor Vince Gray present to lead chants in between periods and occasionally hock support for the city’s D.C. United stadium deal, D.C. cheered on the team, despite the devastating loss.