Netherlands vs United States – 3-1 Win. The U.S. men’s national team was eliminated from the World Cup as a result of its own errors, falling to the Netherlands 3-1. Under the dazzling lights of Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday, the USMNT’s quest for the 2022 World Cup came to an end. The team was shown what elite, brutal soccer looks like by a true powerhouse after spending the previous two weeks demonstrating how far it had progressed in forging an international identity. It is obvious that even though the USMNT has developed, there is still more maturing to be done before 2026.
As the final horn sounded, a sense that the Netherlands was superior, but that the USMNT was also harmed. A dejected Tyler Adams later told FOX, “If you give them three, four chances, they’re going to put them away.” This experience taught me what it takes to compete at the top level of the globe. The best teams are cold, ruthless, and violent. And the United States repeatedly showed throughout this tournament that it wasn’t nearly there. Finally, it was paid for by the players.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands solidified their position as World Cup contenders. The Oranje distorted the USMNT’s defense, undoing 90 minutes of diligent work during the group stage. A sudden two-goal deficit proved to be too much to overcome as the U.S. made a seismic error after a seismic blunder, effectively engineering its own demise. It will be difficult to accept. There is no doubt that the USMNT has improved. The group stage served as excellent proof of that. However, American soccer is still far from being the finest.
The Performing Side:
Matt Turner:
Whatever your opinion of Berhalter’s team selections, the goalie was a good choice. Turner was once more in top form despite seeing three shots slip past him for his tournament-leading first goals allowed from open play. We’ll let them go because there isn’t much a goalie can do in those circumstances.
Turner, however, was outstanding the rest of the way. Just before the USMNT scored, he made two stops that helped maintain hope. Overall, he pulled off a number of outstanding maneuvers to keep the U.S. in the game even as the Dutch pushed for a decisive blow that eventually materialized. Turner was let down repeatedly. He is not to blame for how events turned out.
Denzel Dumfries:
Tell me your lottery numbers if you used the Inter defender as your main point of attack inspiration. The first two goals were assisted by Dumfries, who provided both balls into play for his teammates. Both assists followed much the same steps: a run down the right side, a low cut back into the penalty spot, and then a straightforward finish beyond Matt Turner.
The third goal for the Netherlands was a back-post score. Dumfries wasn’t covered, the opportunity was easy, and the game was finished. The Netherlands had it too easy, and Dumfries, whose eyes must have been big every time he approached the box, had it too easy as well. Dumfries had the Stars and Stripes pay three times as much after the U.S. failed.
Louis van Gaal:
The USMNT certainly didn’t overwhelm the Dutch manager with anything they brought to the table. Instead, he outsmarted the enemy in every way. Van Gaal gave the USMNT the chance to be the center of attention, which it hasn’t always felt quite at ease doing. He gave the order to Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo to intercept passes to the fullbacks in order to stop the Americans from creating space out wide.
Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman were obliged to make line-breaking passes that could either play safe or release Dutch traps because the USMNT’s starting attacker Jesus Ferreira was not a danger from the air. They frequently took the safe route, which the Dutch were more than happy to accept. They were seldom ever tested and, once more, didn’t seem to need to shift out of second gear.
The Losing Side:
Jesus Ferreira:
Finally, he had his chance. And 45 minutes later, it was over. Jesus Ferreira became the third striker for the USMNT to start a match in this competition, and he also became the third to go scoreless. If you’re wondering what hindered the USMNT, that is it. Ferreira has limited other skills save some hold-up play. He attempted to get the ball by checking back into midfield, but he was powerless to use it.
His pressuring was largely ineffective since the Dutch were quite content to give up possession, and he never caused trouble on the counter. At halftime, Ferreira was replaced by Gio Reyna as the Americans looked for a spark. Again, there wasn’t much coming from above, so they needed it.
Christian Pulisic:
What if Pulisic hadn’t sustained the pelvic contusion against Iran and was fully healthy? And perhaps more crucially, what if he had squandered the opportunity for an early American takeover? Without a doubt, that would have altered the game. Andries Noppert was the goalkeeper, and Pulisic was there with a full net to fire at. He had time and wasn’t out of position, but he didn’t take advantage of it. Instead, what could have been a game-changing goal was a feeble shot kicked to Noppert’s left.
Gregg Berhalter:
Berhalter was powerless to stop the goals on his own. He wasn’t the one who didn’t follow up. He didn’t waste opportunities on the opposite side, either. But after this one, things will get hotter. Because of how they lost, not just because the United States lost.
This game won’t have helped Berhalter’s reputation, which has been damaged for weeks by his roster and starting lineup selections. Given how the U.S. attack erupted during the Dortmund star’s 45-minute stint, the Reyna affair will likely go down as the team’s most memorable incident, and it won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
For more World Cup match highlights and results, keep following this space.