But after a disappointing loss on Monday night, the mood shifted quickly at Dock Street Brewery on Washington Avenue, where a packed watch party thinned out soon after the final whistle.
Earlier in the day, supporters gathered to cheer on Freese, who is a Wayne native, 2017 Episcopal Academy graduate and former Philadelphia Union player who now plays professionally in New York.
Kelly Flynn of Graduate Hospital said watching someone she knew in high school compete on the world stage felt surreal.
"It's very unreal. I mean, knowing him in high school, he was such a nice kid, so passionate, so incredibly smart and then also really talented at soccer," Flynn said.
Dock Street Brewert's owner, also an Episcopal Academy graduate, invited alumni and current students to the Point Breeze bar for a special watch party.
"I think it's really awesome that every generation is rooting this alum-- fellow alum," Renata Vesey said. "I'm really in awe of him and how talented he is. And I know the school had a lot to do with that."
Current Episcopal Academy student Kendall Leck said, "It's so cool and surreal to see someone I shared schools with go and do amazing, big things like that. It's so cool and it shows a lot of school spirit and it really just shows how much EA helped people grow."
The match followed a week of controversy after star forward Folarin Balogun received a red card in the previous game and was suspended for the next match.
President Trump said he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the call. On Sunday, FIFA announced Balogun's suspension had been lifted, allowing him to play Monday night. Both Infantino and Trump denied the phone call influenced the decision, saying the ruling was made by an independent committee. Trump said he "didn't tell him what to do."
RELATED: FIFA rejects Belgium's appeal of Folarin Balogun's red card ban suspension
Action News spoke to fans at Dock Street after the match ended to get their reaction to the loss.
"My hope is that we would kind of quash the controversy early," said Frank Pezzolla of Point Breeze. "It kind of went the other way and the controversy didn't matter cause we got smoked."
Calvin Ockletree, of South Philadelphia, said he was disappointed but optimistic.
"A little disappointed but hopefully next time we'll do much greater," he said. "The left and the white wings have to be in her spot. They were out for the position."
Despite the loss, many fans said the team's achievements this year remain something to celebrate.
"It's really exciting because obviously we've made it this far," said Drew Cameron, of Old City. "And I think we should've in past tournaments made it this far so we're finally living up to what I think our potential is."
"Definitely very proud, I think the last time we went to the quarterfinals was 2002 and we were really hoping that this would be the season in the home ground that we will reach at least quarterfinals and more, but we've made it far," Romas Tamrakar of Graduate Hospital said. "I think a lot of kids are really happy and influenced to be the next generation of the US future so I think there's a lot of hope in the future for the U.S. team."