It made the most of the running and dominated possession but Team USA was defeated by a wily Dutch team in the second round of the Qatar World Cup.
The Netherlands proved to be a difficult opponent, and its two goals in the first half from Memphis Depay, after a magnificent 21-pass move, and Daley Blind came against the run of play.
The U.S. battled hard and pulled a goal back when Haji Wright’s deflection from Christian Pulisic’s cross looped in at the far post toward the end of the second.
But the wind was immediately taken from the team's sails as the Dutch went down to the other end and Denzel Dumfries scored, volleying in at the far post from Blind’s cross to make it 3-1.
What to know about the U.S. World Cup match vs. The Netherlands
- The United States failed to get to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 after losing 3-1.
- The Dutch scored twice in the first half once in the second, right after the U.S. equalized.
- Forward Christian Pulisic, who was an injury doubt before the game, was cleared to play.
- Argentina will play Australia at 2 p.m. EST.
- More than a million people have traveled to Qatar for the World Cup, but controversy is also descending on the tiny Gulf kingdom.
Guys 'brought everything,' U.S. coach says
Downcast American coach Gregg Berhalter said he couldn't be more proud of his players, following the Netherlands' 3-1 victory that sent the United States packing from the World Cup.
“This is a difficult one to handle,” he said. “It’s such a good group of guys, such a close group of guys and we came short today — but not for lack of trying, not for the lack of effort. The guys brought everything they had into this game.”
The U.S. run to the round of 16 was a major achievement from a team that missed out on the tournament in 2018.
“When you think about this group, how they’ve come together over the last three and a half years, it's really special to see,” Berhalter added.
Dutch celebrate victory
United States eliminated from World Cup play
Denzel Dumfries scored one goal and set up two more as the Netherlands defeated the United States, 3-1, and ended America's run in the World Cup.
The United States had hoped to make its first quarterfinal appearance since 2002.
The Americans held the ball for much of play, controlling possession 52% of the time compared with 34% by the Netherlands.
But clinical finishing by the Dutch carried the day, skillfully capitalizing on their chances.
The United States could not overcome two first-half goals by the Dutch, who will go on to play the winner of Argentina-Australia in the quarterfinals.
Haji Wright's goal in the 76th minute, off a pass from Christian Pulisic, gave the United States hope.
But much like the end of the first half, the Dutch delivered a late dagger to take the wind of U.S. sails.
And again, it was Dumfries who made the winning play, converting Daley Blind's pass for goal in the 81st minute to account for the final score.
U.S. makes final substitution
Jordan Morris comes on for Antonee Robinson.
The end is near: 6 minutes of stoppage time
Unless the United States can score twice in these final minutes, the American run in this World Cup will be done.
The Americans scored just two goals in three group stage matches
And just like that, the Netherlands take back control
Heartbreaker as Denzel Dumfries' goal in the 81st minute restored order and the Netherlands extended its lead to 3-1.
Dumfries, whose marvelous passes set up the previous two Dutch goals, finally had a chance to feast himself as he took a feed from Daley Blind and drove it into the bottom left corner of the U.S. goal.
The United States scores, cutting Dutch lead to 2-1
There's hope.
Haji Wright just got a heel on a pass from Christian Pulisic in the 76th minute as the United States cut the deficit in half.
The substitute didn't so much kick it as the pass just found his heel and the ball sailed into the corner of the net.
Matt Turner makes a terrific save
U.S. makes two substitutions
Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright come on for Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie.
Reason for hope? The U.S. rallied at Amsterdam in 2015
It was seven years ago and only a friendly, but if desperate U.S. supporters want any reason to hope, they can look back this summer night in Amsterdam.
The United States scored two late goals for a 4-3 victory in a match that seemed like centuries ago, as the Americans were then coached by former German striker Jurgen Klinsmann.
Tonight's Dutch scocrers, Memphis Depay and Daley Blind, were both on the pitch that 2015 night in Amsterdam.