US Knocked out of World Cup, Loses to Netherlands 3-1

The Netherlands defeated the United States 3-1 on Saturday to progress to the World Cup quarterfinals. Memphis Depay and Daley Blind scored in the first half, while Denzel Dumfries added a late goal.

When Christian Pulisic's cross hit Haji Wright's trailing foot and popped over goalkeeper Andries Noppert and into the net in the 76th minute, the U.S. deficit was narrowed to 2-1. But in the 81st, Dumfries, who provided an assist on the first two goals, scored on a volley.

United States captain Tyler Adams predicted that if you give a team with that much talent three or four chances, they will score three or four goals. "We can demonstrate that we can compete with some of the top teams and players in the world, and that is a significant step forward for American soccer. Undoubtedly, we are headed in the right way, but since we have not yet arrived, we must continue to make progress. But we're getting there."

The Oranje, who finished second in 1974, 1978, and 2010, extended their winning streak to 19 games and will play either Argentina or Australia on Friday.

For a reconstructed American squad looking to make it through the round of 16 for the first time since 2002, it was a dismal finale. The Americans, who had the second-youngest team in the competition, overcame Iran in their final group-stage match to advance to the knockout phase, which is the absolute least required for the World Cup to be considered a success.

However, the United States was eliminated in the round of 16 much like in 2010 against Ghana and 2014 against Belgium. Since 2002, the Americans have lost six of their twelve World Cup games against European opponents and have gone 1-7 in the tournament's knockout stages.

"I think we made some progress," United States coach Gregg Berhalter said. "When people look at our team, they see a clear identity. They see guys that go out and fight for each other. They see the talent on the field. We made progress, but on this particular night we came up short."

In the third minute, Pulisic had a clear opportunity to give the United States the lead after suffering an injury during his game-winning goal against Iran, but Noppert, who was playing in just his fourth international game, blocked his shot. Tim Weah's 25-yard attempt was blocked by Noppert in the 42nd minute as the Americans attempted to tie the score.

The 44,846 spectators at the newly renovated Khalifa International Stadium, which has an athletics track and was more subdued than the boisterous supporters for the match against Iran, were seated far from the field.

Although the Americans started out playing better, the Dutch eventually took the lead after breaking the American press. Depay ran unnoticed into the penalty area as Dumfries one-timed a pass from the right flank. To move into sole possession of second place on the Dutch career scoring list behind Robin van Persie's 50 goals, his right-footed shot from 14 yards beat goalkeeper Matt Turner to the far post in the 10th minute.

The goal was the first by the Americans during the tournament's regular play. The Americans have never overcome a deficit to win in 37 World Cup games.

In the first minute of stoppage time, the Netherlands extended their advantage with practically the last kick of the first half. Following a throw-in and a brief sequence of exchanges, Dumfries managed to get a cross past Tyler Adams and find Blind open in the penalty spot. Blind scored his first goal in eight years and just his third international goal. Weston McKennie was fed by Gio Reyna in the 54th minute, but he skied his attempt over the crossbar.

Wright came on in the 67th minute and scored his second goal for his country, giving the Americans hope. Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson had left Dumfries unguarded, so he utilised his left foot to volley Blind's cross.

"Just looking around that locker room, the silence is deafening," Turner said. "We all want to create moments for people back at home to fall in love with the game and tonight was not one of those nights, unfortunately."