The United States men’s national team, which included only one player with World Cup experience prior to this tournament, will face the Netherlands on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET. While many fans considered the Round of 16 to be a success, players don’t feel the same way. They’re ready to stay, saying the job isn’t done yet.
The USMNT – led by Christian Pulisic, who will return from injury – are looking to qualify for their second quarter-final appearance in 20 years and third overall. But Oranje stands in the way. Dutch star Cody Gakpo, 23, has found the back of the net in every game so far.
AFTER:Dutch football influenced the USMNT because of coach Gregg Berhalter’s stay in the Netherlands
WORLD CUP KO:Bracket schedule, news and match analysis
MEET THE TEAM:Get to know all the members of the USA Men’s National Team
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Objective! Memphis Depay puts the Netherlands ahead 1-0
The United States trails for the first time in this World Cup after Memphis Depay’s 10th-minute goal for the Netherlands. The Barcelona man hit a cross inside the penalty area for the first time, beating USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner at the far post.
It’s the first goal the Americans have conceded in free play here in Qatar.
For years, Christian Pulisic carried the burden of the USMNT’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Now, with a young and talented squad, that lift is much lighter.
“Honestly, this team helps me take the pressure off so much,” Pulisic said on Thursday. “A few years ago there were times when I maybe felt like I needed to do more. But with these guys I don’t feel that way at all, to be honest. I know that they have my back.
DOHA, QATAR — Al Khalifa is the only stadium that also has a track, which pushes seats away from the field. It definitely takes away some of the pre-game energy, although USMNT fans were vocal when Christian Pulisic was introduced. Lots of American flags in the stands – or people wearing flag-shaped shirts – as well as an English banner. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.
—Nancy Armor
Christian Pulisic starts for the USMNT. Jesús Ferreira will see his first minutes of the tournament, while Josh Sargent is sidelined with an ankle injury. The USMNT will dress 25 players against the Dutch.
The Netherlands are currently struggling with a flu that is plaguing the team. Coach Louis van Gaal gave the players a day off on Thursday instead of holding a typical 11v11 game.
He declined to specify how many players are affected.
Contributor: Associated Press
DOHA, Qatar — Gregg Berhalter can now admit he was “totally unprepared” for professional football when he moved to the Netherlands after college.
He was throwing the ball at someone’s wrong foot. And get yelled at. He had a teammate who wanted the balls delivered without spin, which Berhalter struggled to do. So he got yelled at. His passes weren’t always as clean as they should have been. So he got yelled at even more.
“There were a lot of details that I missed at university that I learned in Holland,” Berhalter said on Friday.
And those lessons he learned then can be seen now in American men.
It’s only fitting that the USMNT’s path to the quarter-finals of the World Cup goes through the Netherlands, given the influence the Dutch game has had on this team.
—Nancy Armor
Like several other World Cup teams at this tournament, the Netherlands are battling the flu. The bug ran through the US team last week.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal gave his side the day off on Thursday instead of playing a typical 11v11 game.
“I gave them a day off,” Van Gaal said on Friday. “With this group, they communicate that to me. I listen to my players. »
He declined to specify how many players are affected, but by abandoning the typical training schedule, Van Gaal has created speculation that at least six players are ill.
“We’re not going to develop that,” he said. “But if it circulates in the group, it is worrying.”
Frenkie de Jong said a sore throat hampered his ability to communicate in a win over Qatar, and Marten de Roon told reporters he had a cold earlier this week.
— Associated Press
Top-notch defense, Christian Pulisic and plenty of stamina are important factors for the USMNT in Saturday’s World Cup knockout tie against the Netherlands.
USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armor explains what the United States needs to do to qualify for its second quarter-final in 20 years.
Don’t miss a moment of the Round of 16. Find the full program, add matches to your calendar and keep up to date with the latest tournament news.
American men have never won the World Cup. In fact, they’ve only been to the quarter-finals of the competition twice before.
Meanwhile, defending champions France are trying to do something only Italy and Brazil have done before: win back-to-back FIFA Men’s World Cup trophies. But the road to victory will not be easy with their growing list of injuries.
Here’s who, according to reporters from the USA TODAY Network, will come out on top (disclaimer: picks were made before the tournament began):
The USMNT are 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. Thanks to the historic collective agreement reached in May between US Soccer and its national teams, half of this prize money will go to American women.
That’s more than the women’s team has earned in its last two championships…combined.
The signs say “yes”.
Pulisic said: “I’m doing everything in my power to be able to be on the pitch on Saturday.” The USMNT star was cleared to play on Friday night, after practicing.
Pulisic came off at half-time against Iran with a pelvic contusion. He had taken a knee to the pelvic bone in a full-speed collision with the Iranian goalkeeper after scoring in the 1-0 victory that sent the USMNT to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Contributor: Nancy Armor
Time: Saturday, December 3 at 10 a.m. ET
Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
How to watch: FOX and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
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