The U.S. nearly made history against tough European opponent today in the the second match of Group B play at the Bejing Games. Leading 2-1 with less than a minute to go, the Dutch converted a freekick and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Giving the American squad four points after two games.
In the opening minutes the U.S. looked nervous and tentative. They couldn't retain possession and touches were heavy or played into traffic. The U.S. began to settle down a bit by the 10th minute and were able to generate a couple of chances on goal by stepping up and challenging the Dutch backline and midfield on 50-50 balls.
Twice in the early going Marvell Wynne allowed the right wing Roy Drenthe to get on the end of a far post cross without a challenge, a far cry from his dominant performance against the Japanese. Poor marking would result in the Neherlands first goal, in fact, as Maurice Edu, who inexplicably started at centerback once again, missed a header on a cross and allowed Ryan Babel to put the ball on frame. Brad Guzan made a tough first save but Babel knocked home the rebound.
The Dutch kept the heat on, sensing a defensive weakness. The U.S. weathered the storm for the first half hour, but couldn't generate any sustained attack because of sloppy play. Wynne who played so well againt Japan had a nightmare first half against the Dutch.
Freddy Adu looked sloppy on the ball for much of the half as well, but in the 35th minute, he made a nice mazy run through three defenders and was taken down at the edge of the 18 to give the U.S their best look at goal to that point. Michael Bradley's ensuing freekick was played off the wall, and the subsequent corner was hit over everyone and out for a goal kick.
The U.S. had a few good looks around the 40th minute, as Bradley hit a screamer on a ball played to him across the top of the box, but it was parried well by Dutch keeper Kenneth Vermeer. The Americans seemed to generate more of an attack when they challenged the 50-50 balls in the midfield and defense. pushing their midfielders up. It left them vulnerable for a counterattack, but the U.S. was able to avoid it until halftime with the match 1-0 to the Orange.
The second half started a bit like the first half and poor marking by MoEdu almost led to another goal for the Dutch, as he shoved down Drenthe for a freekick on the right side of the area. The ensuing cross was put into the side netting, but it was nervous couple of seconds.
But the U.S. came back with a set-piece opportunity of their own in the 50th minute, as Brian McBride back-headed a deep freekick on goal and forced Vermeer to make a spectacular save to preserve the lead. It was McBride's first real chance of the tournament. McBride had another chance from a similar situation in the 59th minute, but this time the freekick was punched clear by Vermeer.
The U.S seemed to be gaining confidence at the hour mark with a few nice exchanges through midfield and runs down the left wing. But in the 64th minute, a no-look pass by Adu split the Dutch defense and Sasha Kljestan finished the 1v1 chance well to draw the match even at 1-1.
Jozy Altidore, who coach Peter Nowak has decided to use like a supersub, entered the match for Robbie Rogers, following the goal and paid instant dividends.
In the 73rd minute, a melee in the box had the ball ping-ponging around until Kljestan's foot and Altidore's touch put the ball into space on the left where a hard cross from left back Michael Orozco richoceted off the defender to Altidore's knee and past Vermeer for the go-ahead goal.
In the 80th minute, Adu, who was carrying a yellow card after accidentally kicking the goalkeeper Vermeer in the face when challenging for a through ball, was substituted for Benny Feilhaber.
With five minutes to play, the U.S. began to get a little too defensive, preferring to play long balls out of their zone to players in offside positions. In the 88th minute, a counterattacking opportunity went begging when Stuart Holden tried his luck, despite being 2v1 with Kljestan against one Dutch defender, and hit it wide left.
With three minutes of extra time added, the U.S. surrendered a free kick at the edge of the area in the 93rd minute, when Holden's challenge came a bit late. The Dutch made no mistake, firing home a low shot underneath the wall and beating Guzan to make it 2-2.
A disappointing result to a match that had the makings of a classic in American soccer. Backs against the wall, looking outplayed and outgunned, the U.S. fought back to take the lead and nearly won the day. Adding to the disappointment will be that the U.S. will be without midfielders Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley in the crucial final match against Nigeria due to yellow card accumulation. Adu's card was unavoidable and certainly wasn't intentional, but Bradley's yellow card for time wasting when he was carrying a card coming into the match was plain stupid.
With Nigeria beating Japan 2-1 in the early game, the U.S. are tied with the African nation on points, goal differential and total goals scored going into the final match. A win against Nigeria will put the Americans through to the next round. Other scenarios that put the U.S. through: a draw or loss by the Dutch OR if Nigeria and the U.S. draw in the final match and the Dutch win, there would be a drawing of lots to see who would advance as the second place team. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
TYH's Patriot of the Pitch©: Sascha Kljestan
MATCH REPORT
| TEAM | 1st half | 2nd half | Final |
| USA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| NED | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring:
NED – Babel (unassisted) 16.
USA - Kljestan (Adu) 66.
USA - Altidore (unassisted) 73.
NED - SIbon (unassisted) 90+.
Lineups:
USA: 18-Brad Guzan; 2-Marvell Wynne, 6-Maurice Edu, 15-Michael Parkhurst, 3-Michael Orozco; 7-Stuart Holden, 4-Michael Bradley, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 14-Robbie Rogers (12-Jozy Altidore, 65); 11-Freddy Adu (Benny Feilhaber, 80), 17-Brian McBride – Capt.
NED: 18-Kenneth Vermeer, 2-Gianni Zuiverloon, 3-Dirk Marcellis (Roy Makaay, 75), 4-Kew Jaliens, 7-Jonathan de Guzman, 8-Urby Emanuelson, 12-Hedwiges Maduro, 15-Royston Drenthe (Gerald Sibon, 75), 17-Otman Bakkal, 11-Ryan Babel, 16-Roy Beerens (Calvin Jong-a-Pin, 69)
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Edu (caution) 56.
NED – Marcellis (caution) 60.
USA – Adu (caution) 78.
USA – Bradley (caution) 90+.
USA – Holden (caution) 90+.
| STATS | USA | NED |
| Shots | 12 | 9 |
| Shots(OG) | 8 | 4 |
| Saves | 2 | 6 |
| Corners | 2 | 2 |
| Fouls | 11 | 14 |
| Offside | 2 | 2 |
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