USA vs. Netherlands World Cup recap: Sloppy defense proves costly as USMNT gets knocked out
losing 3-1 to the Netherlands on Saturday in the Round of 16, a third consecutive defeat at this stage of the tournament.
The Netherlands took an early lead and added a goal just before halftime, but Haji Wright pulled one back in the 76th minute for the Americans, only to have the Dutch come right back and score to essentially ice the game.
It’s a disappointing end of the road for a young USMNT, which had failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament. The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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put the game out of reach. The U.S. squandered a few chances in the first half and careless defending helped the Dutch score their goals. It’s the third consecutive exit in the Round of 16 for the Americans (2010, 2014).
The Netherlands, who also failed to qualify in 2018, will face the winner of Argentina-Australia in the quarterfinals on Friday.
For the U.S., it’s back to the drawing board ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup next summer. As one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, the Americans won’t have to go through the rigorous qualification process for the tournament.
clamoring for Gio Reyna to get more playing time, and U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter brought on the 20-year-old to start the second half with his team trailing 2-0 against the Netherlands.
Reyna replaced Jesús Ferreira while the Dutch made two subs at the half with Teun Koopmeiners coming on for Davy Klaassen and Steven Bergwijn for Marten de Roon.
Gio Reyna?) if there’s any hope of turning things around in the second half. Pulisic said Thursday. “A couple years ago there were times maybe I felt I needed to do more. But with these guys, I don’t feel that way at all, to be honest. I know they have my back.”
Christian Pulisic starts for the USMNT. Jesús Ferreira will see his first minutes of the tournament, while Josh Sargent is unavailable with an ankle injury. The USMNT will dress 25 players against the Dutch. digs into what the U.S. must do to advance to its second quarter final appearance in 20 years.
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USA TODAY Network reporters think will come out champions (disclaimer: picks were made before the tournament started):
USWNT wins more with USMNT’s Round of 16 appearance
The USMNT is guaranteed at least $13 million in prize money from this World Cup, a figure that could rise to $17 million if they beat the Netherlands in Saturday’s round of 16 game. Thanks to the historic collective bargaining agreement reached in May between U.S. Soccer and its national teams, half that prize money will go to the U.S. women.
That’s more than what the women’s team earned in their last two championship runs…combined.