The U.S. Men’s National Team loss to the Netherlands 3-1 in the Round of 16 to which finished the teams run for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The U.S. started well in the first 10 minutes of the game when Christian Pulisic nearly scored a goal from a nice pass from midfielder Weston McKennie won the ball at the Dutch penalty area. But quickly struck back when Memphis Depay scored the first goal after the team were decisive in their counterattack and a string of passes that cracked the U.S. side defense to give The Netherlands lead. It was the first goal allowed by the U.S. in opening play of the tournament.
The U.S. fought back but struggle to create chances as the Dutch stoop up against the young aggressive trio of Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic who put a valent effort. The U.S. gave up and another devastating goal when Daley Blind scored with less than a minute of the first half to give The Netherlands a 2-0 lead. Haji Wright who sub in the 65th minute of the match scored a brilliant backheel goal in the 76th minute to cut the lead to 2-1 but Denzel Dumfries ended U.S. hopes when he scored on the 81th minute to seal the 3-1 victory for The Netherlands. The U.S. had more shots on goal but The Netherlands but, the lack of a proven goal scorer from the number the nine-position cost the Head Coach Gregg Berhalter’s who may have coached his last game as he contemplates coaching a soccer club in Europe.
While majority of the players will be back for the 2026 World Cup which will be in the United States, players such as Tim Ream who’s 35, Walker Zimmerman, Jordan Morris, Aaron Long and Sean Johnson will most likely won’t be back with U.S. National team. Since the U.S. along with Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup which means they don’t have to qualified for the World Cup, the team will have to play many International Friendly Matches, so they can be prepared and more established when they have to play against the likes of The Netherlands, France, Croatia, England, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Argentina. Whether it’s Berhalter or someone else who coaches this team, many Americans expect the team to be one of the favorites to win the World Cup in 2026.