Although the United States team lost their match against Germany, it has advanced to the next round of the World Cup.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Soccerfest and Viewing Party at SteelStacks June 26 was attended by many, though the numbers were fewer than the estimated 10,000 fans that came out for the June 22 game against Portugal.

Unlike the game against Portugal, the match against Germany was scheduled for noon, when most adults were at work.

On Wednesday night, U.S. Soccer tweeted a picture of a letter written by the U.S. Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann attempting to excuse soccer fans from work to watch the game. The letter began, "To whom it may concern: Please excuse ______ from work on Thursday, June 26th," explaining that, "The #USMNT has a critical World Cup game vs. Germany and we will need the full support of the nation if we are to advance to the next round."

Although some fans may have attempted to print and use this letter, a smaller number of adults attended this game, bringing with them a greater number of children than the June 22 game. The children enjoyed the free sticker books that were being handed out near the entrance.

The number of U.S. supporters outnumbered those of Germany, but by a greater ratio than seen at the match against Portugal.

Fans' responses to the outcome of the game varied from disappointed to hopeful. Even without scoring any goals against Germany, the U.S. team has secured its spot in the 2014 World Cup.

"Yes and yes," Kevin Morrissey of Bethlehem answered when asked if the results were expected. "I was hopeful we'd get through the group but obviously Germany was a tall order."

"Anticipating, maybe. Hoping for, absolutely not," Danielle Rosenshine of Bethlehem said. Other fans agreed that the result of the individual game was unsurprising, based on the way the last two games have gone for the national team, but exciting because the team advance nonetheless. The reasons for attending the game differed from spectator to spectator, but everyone agreed that SteelStacks was a great place to be to watch the game.

"We read about it a couple weeks before the tournament and are new to the area," Morrissey said, explaining that he and his friends searched through newspapers trying to find events to take part in. "It's more fun than watching it at home." "I got a Snapchat from a friend I have't seen in awhile and my summer class got out early. This is nice that they do this," said Ethan Silfies of Northampton.

Rosenshine and Steven Singer of Bethlehem both agreed that the best place to watch the World Cup was with a group of people at event like the Viewing Party:

"Not 100 percent sure I would have wanted to go anywhere else. Lots of food, lots of fun, a new experience for me," Rosenshine said.

"The fan atmosphere is like no other," Singer said, summing up the thoughts of the crowd members around him.

Thanks to the support of Coca-Cola Bottling of the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem Sausage Works, Discover Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Health Network and Lehigh Valley Hyundai & Phillipsburg Easton Hyundai, the 17' by 27' LED screen featured at the FIFA World Cup™ SoccerFest and Viewing Party was back on the Air Products Town Square for the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium July 1.