US men’s soccer fell to the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday in Amsterdam Arena.
Dirk Kuyt gave the Dutch their first goal on a penalty kick just five minutes before the half. In the 73rd minute of the game, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored to put the Netherlands up 2-0. The US saw a sliver of hope in the 89th minute when Carlos Bocanegra pulled them within one. Yet, while the Americans had many chances near the end of the game, they were unable to convert them into goals.
Jose Torres and Landon Donovan threw away the United States’ best chance at a win when they both missed from inside 30 yards. This lackluster performance gives US coach Bob Bradley a lot to think about before they head into the World Cup.
With several guys, including Jay DeMerit, Maurice Adu, and DeMarcus Beasley, coming back from injuries, it seemed that the Americans had finally become healthy. But when Stuart Holden was forced off the field with a sprained ankle, it became apparent that there would be a new member to the injured reserve.
