Sports World Review

US Soccer Learn Lesson Against Dutch

With 99 days left until the World Cup kicks off in South Africa coach Bob Bradley will be soon making a decision about who will be on the plane come June. The US fell 2-1 to the Netherlands  in Amsterdam on Wednesday in their last international friendly before Bradley makes his World Cup team selection. Defender Jonathan Borenstein was exposed early and often by winger Arjen Robben during the first half and pulled down midfielder Wesley Sneijder to give the Dutch a penalty kick and a 1-0 lead thanks to the conversion by Dirk Kuyt. Bradley can put Steve Cherundolo or Jonathan Spector at left back instead of Borenstein. Captain of the US team Carlos Bocanegra plays left back for his club team and didn’t a have a banner game in Amsterdam at center back on Wednesday. Should Oguchi Onyweu return to full fitness before the World Cup I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bocanegra at left back or even on the bench.

The Americans turned on the heat in the final twenty minutes of the game against the Dutch scoring in 88th minute on Bocanegra header, but were capable of playing a much better than they showed. With Clint Dempesy, Charlie Davies, Oguchi Onyweu, and Steve Cherundolo out for the game the U.S. learned a lot about their depth both good and bad. DeMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, both who play for Rangers FC in Scotland, looked promising in substitute roles for the US. Beasley delivered the set piece that set up the lone goal for the Yanks and was threatening down the left in final third of the game. His team mate Edu was a physical force in the midfield, helping the US get out of trouble on a number of occasions. On the downside, US star Landon Donovan lacked energy on the pitch at Amsterdam ArenA and midfielder Jose Francisco Torres’ touch looked off in his 45 minute shift.

The health of the current injured Americans and the US players form will play a huge part in the team Bradley puts on the field against England on June 12th, but Wednesday’s game definitely was a good chance for players to impress. Stuart Holden suffered a ankle injury in the first half on a vicious tackle by Nigel De Jong that warranted a red card, but the young American should be back playing for his club Bolton before the season ends in England. Some of the US players can already pack their bags for South Africa, but a significant portion of the 23 available World Cup roster parts still are unclear. The next few months will be interesting for American footballers playing at home and abroad with Bradley making his final decision sometime in May.