The United States’ hopes of advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 were dashed in a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, and the Yankees at home were not happy.
The Dutch were in charge from the outset and first-half strikes from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind left no doubt as to where this game was heading.
The U.S. had some hope when Haji Wright scored in the 76th minute, but it lasted exactly five minutes as Denzel Dumfries was left unmarked and finished easily to make it 3-1.
Depay opened proceedings in the 10th minute, completing an outstanding team goal that started deep in the Dutch defense and included seven of his players touching the ball on the scoreboard.
It was rightly hailed as one of the goals of the tournament.
But the finger was immediately pointed at the American players who did not return with a sense of urgency suitable for the occasion, and the Americans were accused of falling asleep again when Blind put the Dutch by 2-0 in stoppage time of the first half.
It was a painful lesson to end for the Americans.
While the United States enjoyed long periods of possession in a brilliant first-half display, too often a lack of composure in the final third let them down.
Instead, it was the Dutch who calmly bided their time before cutting down the Americans with forensic precision.
American striker Christian Pulisic squandered a golden chance to put his side 1-0 up after just three minutes when he found himself in space only to see a shot chipped away by Andries Noppert.
Buoyed by this early opportunity, the USA stayed in front, attacking far up the field.
But in the 10th minute the Netherlands took the lead. Excellent interplay in midfield saw the ball reach Inter Milan’s Dumfries down the right.
Dumfries picked out Depay, who took the finish to cap off a majestic 20-pass move that was in the best traditions of the Netherlands’ total footballing heritage.
Again, the Americans went ahead decisively in Dutch territory through Pulisic, only for the Chelsea player to send in a cross that fell behind his fellow Americans.
Tim Weah had the best American chance of the rest of the half in the 43rd minute, letting fly a rasping shot that Noppert saved.
But in first-half stoppage time, the Netherlands struck. Dumfries again found space down the right and drilled a cross to Blind, who had been denied by Sergino Dest, for an emphatic finish.
The Netherlands almost extended their lead early in the second half when defender Walker Zimmerman headed a low Dumfries cross into the American goal, forcing a smart save from Matt Turner.
United States coach Gregg Berhalter introduced Gio Reyna for the ineffective Jesus Ferreira in attack at the break in an attempt to provide a sharper cut.
The Borussia Dortmund man made an instant impression after setting up a shot for Weston McKennie that bounced over the crossbar.
Berhalter brought on Haji Wright for McKennie midway through the second half and the move sparked a fleeting revival.
After seeing a goal-scoring opportunity flagged at the near post in the 75th minute, Wright scored a minute later when his call from Pulisic’s cross went past Noppert in the Dutch net for 2-1.
However, the American struggle was short-lived. In the 81st minute another Dutch attack caught the American defense out of position, and Blind calmly crossed to an unmarked Dumfries at the far post to make it 3-1.
The result made a mockery of US President Joe Biden’s confident pre-game statement.
“It’s called football,” Biden said in a video message. “Go to America. You guys will.”
– with the AFP
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