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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Holland 3-4 USA – as it happened | Holland 3-4 USA – as it happened |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| 4.33pm ET21:33 | 4.33pm ET21:33 |
| Well, that was really enjoyable. Seven goals, much to admire – and a fantastic comeback from USA. Two debut goals from Bobby Wood and Danny Williams – the latter might go down as a Luuk de Jong own goal – and the USA deserved their victory for their tenacity and commitment, and no little skill. Holland? Well, basically, they’re rubbish. | Well, that was really enjoyable. Seven goals, much to admire – and a fantastic comeback from USA. Two debut goals from Bobby Wood and Danny Williams – the latter might go down as a Luuk de Jong own goal – and the USA deserved their victory for their tenacity and commitment, and no little skill. Holland? Well, basically, they’re rubbish. |
| Thanks for reading. Bye. | Thanks for reading. Bye. |
| 4.30pm ET21:30 | 4.30pm ET21:30 |
| Reading midfielder Danny Williams speaks to ESPN: | Reading midfielder Danny Williams speaks to ESPN: |
| It was an unbelievable game, a great effort from the team. I was lucky that my shot deflected, but I have to complement my team. Everyone gave their all, and it’s a fantastic feeling to win against Holland in Amsterdam. | It was an unbelievable game, a great effort from the team. I was lucky that my shot deflected, but I have to complement my team. Everyone gave their all, and it’s a fantastic feeling to win against Holland in Amsterdam. |
| I was quite unlucky the last two years with my injuries, and it was tough, but all the hard work I put in … thankfully I was rewarded, and yeah, I think it was the best moment of my career. | I was quite unlucky the last two years with my injuries, and it was tough, but all the hard work I put in … thankfully I was rewarded, and yeah, I think it was the best moment of my career. |
| At first I thought 3-3 is a great result away from home, and Michael passed it, and Morris found Bobby, and yeah, just a great effort from the team. | At first I thought 3-3 is a great result away from home, and Michael passed it, and Morris found Bobby, and yeah, just a great effort from the team. |
| 4.26pm ET21:26 | 4.26pm ET21:26 |
| US Soccer is happy: | US Soccer is happy: |
| FINAL: #USA 4, Netherlands 3! What. A. Comeback. | FINAL: #USA 4, Netherlands 3! What. A. Comeback. |
| 4.25pm ET21:25 | 4.25pm ET21:25 |
| Jon Champion calls this a “landmark victory” for USA. Bobby Wood, who had a miserable year for Erzgebirge Aue in Germany, scored his first international goal right at the death as Holland capitulated. Holland won’t qualify for Euro 2016 like this: they look good in attack, but their defending and goalkeeping is abject. | Jon Champion calls this a “landmark victory” for USA. Bobby Wood, who had a miserable year for Erzgebirge Aue in Germany, scored his first international goal right at the death as Holland capitulated. Holland won’t qualify for Euro 2016 like this: they look good in attack, but their defending and goalkeeping is abject. |
| Updated at 4.26pm ET | Updated at 4.26pm ET |
| 4.23pm ET21:23 | 4.23pm ET21:23 |
| Full-time: Holland 3-4 USA | Full-time: Holland 3-4 USA |
| And that’s the game! What a finish! The most incredible end to a match, and how well the USA did to respond. Yedlin was magnificent, but Holland just fell apart. What a win for USA! | And that’s the game! What a finish! The most incredible end to a match, and how well the USA did to respond. Yedlin was magnificent, but Holland just fell apart. What a win for USA! |
| 4.22pm ET21:22 | 4.22pm ET21:22 |
| 90 min + 3: Propper shoots from range. Wide. The Holland subs’ bench looks stunned. | 90 min + 3: Propper shoots from range. Wide. The Holland subs’ bench looks stunned. |
| 4.21pm ET21:21 | 4.21pm ET21:21 |
| 90 min + 1: This is amazing. How about this comeback from the USA! But Holland, honestly: they give up so much time and space. What an end to this game! | 90 min + 1: This is amazing. How about this comeback from the USA! But Holland, honestly: they give up so much time and space. What an end to this game! |
| 4.20pm ET21:20 | 4.20pm ET21:20 |
| 90 min: This is insane! Bobby Wood! Holland hit the bar with de Jong, but USA broke clear, and Bradley fed Morris, and Wood swept home unmarked. The Dutch defence was in disarray. They are terrible! | 90 min: This is insane! Bobby Wood! Holland hit the bar with de Jong, but USA broke clear, and Bradley fed Morris, and Wood swept home unmarked. The Dutch defence was in disarray. They are terrible! |
| Updated at 4.30pm ET | Updated at 4.30pm ET |
| 4.19pm ET21:19 | 4.19pm ET21:19 |
| GOOOOAL!!!!!! Holland 3-4 USA (Wood 90) | GOOOOAL!!!!!! Holland 3-4 USA (Wood 90) |
| Unreal!!! Bobby Wood!!! | Unreal!!! Bobby Wood!!! |
| 4.18pm ET21:18 | 4.18pm ET21:18 |
| 89 min: Amazing! From the corner, Holland cleared, but Williams picked up the loose ball and hammered home via a deflection! Three each, and USA deserve this! | 89 min: Amazing! From the corner, Holland cleared, but Williams picked up the loose ball and hammered home via a deflection! Three each, and USA deserve this! |
| 4.17pm ET21:17 | 4.17pm ET21:17 |
| GOAL! Holland 3-3 USA (Williams 89) | GOAL! Holland 3-3 USA (Williams 89) |
| And it’s Danny Williams! | And it’s Danny Williams! |
| 4.17pm ET21:17 | 4.17pm ET21:17 |
| 88 min: Great chance for Jordan Morris! A long hoof from Guzan, and Martins Indi gets much too tight. Morris is clean through … but Cillessen saves. What a chance! | 88 min: Great chance for Jordan Morris! A long hoof from Guzan, and Martins Indi gets much too tight. Morris is clean through … but Cillessen saves. What a chance! |
| 4.16pm ET21:16 | 4.16pm ET21:16 |
| 86 min: Klinsmann is sitting on his haunches, a la Bielsa. Wijnaldum has a blast. It’s blocked. | 86 min: Klinsmann is sitting on his haunches, a la Bielsa. Wijnaldum has a blast. It’s blocked. |
| 4.14pm ET21:14 | 4.14pm ET21:14 |
| 85 min: Chance for USA from a free kick on the D. Johnson fires – into the wall. Bradley strikes! Into the wall. And Holland clear. Holland break, mess it up, and van der Wiel receives the first yellow card for a late tackle. | 85 min: Chance for USA from a free kick on the D. Johnson fires – into the wall. Bradley strikes! Into the wall. And Holland clear. Holland break, mess it up, and van der Wiel receives the first yellow card for a late tackle. |
| 4.13pm ET21:13 | 4.13pm ET21:13 |
| 83 min: And he nearly does! A fabulous straight pass pierces the USA defence and finds Blind clear on the left. His cross deflects off Brooks and is slightly behind de Jong, who gets his legs in a tangle and tries to backheel it over the line – but it hits the post! A comedy of errors, but Fabian Johnson did well to recover. | 83 min: And he nearly does! A fabulous straight pass pierces the USA defence and finds Blind clear on the left. His cross deflects off Brooks and is slightly behind de Jong, who gets his legs in a tangle and tries to backheel it over the line – but it hits the post! A comedy of errors, but Fabian Johnson did well to recover. |
| Updated at 4.15pm ET | Updated at 4.15pm ET |
| 4.11pm ET21:11 | 4.11pm ET21:11 |
| 82 min: Holland have lost that vim they had in the first 20 minutes of this half. Maybe Sneijder can ignite something. | 82 min: Holland have lost that vim they had in the first 20 minutes of this half. Maybe Sneijder can ignite something. |
| 4.10pm ET21:10 | 4.10pm ET21:10 |
| 81 min: Jordan Morris replaces Zardes. Klinsmann gives Zardes a wholehearted pat on the butt. | 81 min: Jordan Morris replaces Zardes. Klinsmann gives Zardes a wholehearted pat on the butt. |
| 4.09pm ET21:09 | 4.09pm ET21:09 |
| 80 min: Yedlin does well to evade a dreadful, lunging tackle from Blind, and that’s a chance for Diskerud! Wood holds off the defender and feeds Diskerud, but his shot is wide from the edge of the box. Should have done better. | 80 min: Yedlin does well to evade a dreadful, lunging tackle from Blind, and that’s a chance for Diskerud! Wood holds off the defender and feeds Diskerud, but his shot is wide from the edge of the box. Should have done better. |
| 4.08pm ET21:08 | 4.08pm ET21:08 |
| 77 min: Two changes for Holland: Huntelaar and Clasie off, Luuk de Jong and Wesley Sneijder on. Sneijder wins his 114th cap, but has he been as big a star as he should have been? | 77 min: Two changes for Holland: Huntelaar and Clasie off, Luuk de Jong and Wesley Sneijder on. Sneijder wins his 114th cap, but has he been as big a star as he should have been? |
| 4.05pm ET21:05 | 4.05pm ET21:05 |
| 75 min: Kasey Keller on ESPN thinks Holland took their foot off the gas. Clasie, neat and tidy in possession, finds Narsingh, and Huntelaar, through the middle, has a dig from distance. It’s deflected, and it’s a corner. but it’s a waste. | 75 min: Kasey Keller on ESPN thinks Holland took their foot off the gas. Clasie, neat and tidy in possession, finds Narsingh, and Huntelaar, through the middle, has a dig from distance. It’s deflected, and it’s a corner. but it’s a waste. |
| Updated at 4.06pm ET | Updated at 4.06pm ET |
| 4.03pm ET21:03 | 4.03pm ET21:03 |
| 74 min: Yedlin and Wood have impressed since coming on. Klinsmann is yelling at Chandler: “Timmy, find Yedlin!” | 74 min: Yedlin and Wood have impressed since coming on. Klinsmann is yelling at Chandler: “Timmy, find Yedlin!” |
| Updated at 4.04pm ET | Updated at 4.04pm ET |
| 4.02pm ET21:02 | 4.02pm ET21:02 |
| 73 min: Holland just stopped there. Maybe Huntelaar was fouled, but no one bothered tracking Brooks, and he accepted the invitation like a tabloid journalist attending a party with a free bar. | 73 min: Holland just stopped there. Maybe Huntelaar was fouled, but no one bothered tracking Brooks, and he accepted the invitation like a tabloid journalist attending a party with a free bar. |
| 4.01pm ET21:01 | 4.01pm ET21:01 |
| 71 min: Great team goal from the USA. Brooks dispossessed Huntelaar, who thought he was fouled, fed Bradley, who split the defence with a fine ball to Yedlin. Yedlin crossed and Brooks, who had galloped three-quarters of the pitch unchecked, tapped home from six yards. It’s on! | 71 min: Great team goal from the USA. Brooks dispossessed Huntelaar, who thought he was fouled, fed Bradley, who split the defence with a fine ball to Yedlin. Yedlin crossed and Brooks, who had galloped three-quarters of the pitch unchecked, tapped home from six yards. It’s on! |
| 3.59pm ET20:59 | 3.59pm ET20:59 |
| GOAL! Holland 3-2 USA (Brooks 70) | GOAL! Holland 3-2 USA (Brooks 70) |
| USA are back in it! | USA are back in it! |
| 3.57pm ET20:57 | 3.57pm ET20:57 |
| 68 min: Things a bit subdued now: too many subs, too much interruption. A lull. | 68 min: Things a bit subdued now: too many subs, too much interruption. A lull. |
| 3.56pm ET20:56 | 3.56pm ET20:56 |
| 65 min: And now here’s another substitution: Bobby Wood replaces Johansson. Free kick on the right for USA, and six go into the box. Bradley’s ball in is cleared, and Narsingh breaks, but he holds on to it, and the chance is lost. The greedy bugger. | 65 min: And now here’s another substitution: Bobby Wood replaces Johansson. Free kick on the right for USA, and six go into the box. Bradley’s ball in is cleared, and Narsingh breaks, but he holds on to it, and the chance is lost. The greedy bugger. |
| Updated at 3.56pm ET | Updated at 3.56pm ET |
| 3.54pm ET20:54 | 3.54pm ET20:54 |
| 64 min: Danny Williams replaces Kyle Beckerman, and then Zardes is denied by Cillessen! He cracked a shot hard and low following impressive work from Yedlin, but it was too straight. Holland’s defending is lolz! | 64 min: Danny Williams replaces Kyle Beckerman, and then Zardes is denied by Cillessen! He cracked a shot hard and low following impressive work from Yedlin, but it was too straight. Holland’s defending is lolz! |
| 3.53pm ET20:53 | 3.53pm ET20:53 |
| 63 min: That’s a really great save from Guzan: a lovely ball in from Depay, and got free between two defenders. Guzan did really well to save with his legs, though, to deny Wijnaldum. | 63 min: That’s a really great save from Guzan: a lovely ball in from Depay, and got free between two defenders. Guzan did really well to save with his legs, though, to deny Wijnaldum. |
| 3.51pm ET20:51 | 3.51pm ET20:51 |
| 62 min: Lovely ball in from the right, but Johansson can’t beat Bruma to it. Great ball in from Yedlin, but good defending. | 62 min: Lovely ball in from the right, but Johansson can’t beat Bruma to it. Great ball in from Yedlin, but good defending. |
| Sean Joyner is sniggering: | Sean Joyner is sniggering: |
| @timmyhilleh https://t.co/NSqi10L5mm | @timmyhilleh https://t.co/NSqi10L5mm |
| Updated at 3.51pm ET | Updated at 3.51pm ET |
| 3.49pm ET20:49 | 3.49pm ET20:49 |
| 60 min: They’ve only been on the pitch for 15 minutes, but van der Wiel and Narsingh have looked a real threat down Holland’s right. The second goal was beautifully constructed, and the third came from Narsingh beating Shea much too easily. | 60 min: They’ve only been on the pitch for 15 minutes, but van der Wiel and Narsingh have looked a real threat down Holland’s right. The second goal was beautifully constructed, and the third came from Narsingh beating Shea much too easily. |
| 3.47pm ET20:47 | 3.47pm ET20:47 |
| 58 min: First action for Yedlin, showing his pace, and barrelling down the right flank. Bruma does well to stop Bradley, though, and Holland clear. And that’s Bradley fizzing a half-volley over the top! Zardes did well to win the first header, but Bradley couldn’t keep it down. | 58 min: First action for Yedlin, showing his pace, and barrelling down the right flank. Bruma does well to stop Bradley, though, and Holland clear. And that’s Bradley fizzing a half-volley over the top! Zardes did well to win the first header, but Bradley couldn’t keep it down. |
| 3.46pm ET20:46 | 3.46pm ET20:46 |
| 56 min: Klinsi makes two more changes: Diskerud on for Morales, and Yedlin for Brek Shea. Yedlin’s played just 11 minutes for Tottenham since his January transfer. | 56 min: Klinsi makes two more changes: Diskerud on for Morales, and Yedlin for Brek Shea. Yedlin’s played just 11 minutes for Tottenham since his January transfer. |
| Van Persie is hoiked, too, and Davy Propper of Vitesse takes his place. | Van Persie is hoiked, too, and Davy Propper of Vitesse takes his place. |
| Updated at 3.46pm ET | Updated at 3.46pm ET |
| 3.43pm ET20:43 | 3.43pm ET20:43 |
| 55 min: ESPN confirms that Memphis Depay was given the goal. He didn’t really know much about it, but his divertion was crucial. Narsingh and van der Wiel on for Promes and Janmaat, by the way. | 55 min: ESPN confirms that Memphis Depay was given the goal. He didn’t really know much about it, but his divertion was crucial. Narsingh and van der Wiel on for Promes and Janmaat, by the way. |
| Updated at 3.44pm ET | Updated at 3.44pm ET |
| 3.43pm ET20:43 | 3.43pm ET20:43 |
| 53 min: Well, this is all Holland. Narsingh beat Shea down the right, and Wijnaldum’s header was saved well by Guzan, but Holland recycled it, and fed Huntelaar on the edge of the box. His left-foot rocket hit Orozco, and then hit Depay, and beat Guzan, who was still recovering. Who gets the goal? Is that Depay’s? USA are in a funk. | 53 min: Well, this is all Holland. Narsingh beat Shea down the right, and Wijnaldum’s header was saved well by Guzan, but Holland recycled it, and fed Huntelaar on the edge of the box. His left-foot rocket hit Orozco, and then hit Depay, and beat Guzan, who was still recovering. Who gets the goal? Is that Depay’s? USA are in a funk. |
| 3.41pm ET20:41 | 3.41pm ET20:41 |
| GOAL! Holland 3-1 USA (Depay 53) | GOAL! Holland 3-1 USA (Depay 53) |
| And it’s the Hunter again! No, it’s Depay! | And it’s the Hunter again! No, it’s Depay! |
| Updated at 3.44pm ET | Updated at 3.44pm ET |
| 3.40pm ET20:40 | 3.40pm ET20:40 |
| 50 min: Klinsi looks pissed. But USA force a corner, and Brooks scores! No, wait! Zardes is whistled for a foul on Wijnaldum, I think. I guess the Swedish ref had to call that if he called Depay on Chandler at the end of the first half. | 50 min: Klinsi looks pissed. But USA force a corner, and Brooks scores! No, wait! Zardes is whistled for a foul on Wijnaldum, I think. I guess the Swedish ref had to call that if he called Depay on Chandler at the end of the first half. |
| 3.39pm ET20:39 | 3.39pm ET20:39 |
| 48 min: What a start for Holland here. Great combination play again, this time by substitutes Narsingh and van der Wiel down the right, and van der Wiel’s ball in is delicious. Huntelaar, the ur-predator, gets between Brooks and Orozco again, and it’s another flick header into the top of the net. Fabulous centre-forward play. | 48 min: What a start for Holland here. Great combination play again, this time by substitutes Narsingh and van der Wiel down the right, and van der Wiel’s ball in is delicious. Huntelaar, the ur-predator, gets between Brooks and Orozco again, and it’s another flick header into the top of the net. Fabulous centre-forward play. |
| 3.37pm ET20:37 | 3.37pm ET20:37 |
| GOAL! Holland 2-1 USA (Huntelaar 48) | GOAL! Holland 2-1 USA (Huntelaar 48) |
| Holland playing with some verve, here, and it’s 2-1! | Holland playing with some verve, here, and it’s 2-1! |
| 3.36pm ET20:36 | 3.36pm ET20:36 |
| 46 min: We’re back, and one change for the USA: Orozco is on for Alvorado. And a chance for Holland right at the start! Wijnaldum and Blind combined beautifully down the left, and Blind put in a great ball from the byline, but van Persie’s header is straight at Guzan! | 46 min: We’re back, and one change for the USA: Orozco is on for Alvorado. And a chance for Holland right at the start! Wijnaldum and Blind combined beautifully down the left, and Blind put in a great ball from the byline, but van Persie’s header is straight at Guzan! |
| 3.35pm ET20:35 | 3.35pm ET20:35 |
| Klinsi speaks! | Klinsi speaks! |
| “I think we really played eye-to-eye and had three 100% chances. It’s a very open game and it could go either way.” | “I think we really played eye-to-eye and had three 100% chances. It’s a very open game and it could go either way.” |
| 3.31pm ET20:31 | 3.31pm ET20:31 |
| Here’s Gyasi Zardes scoring his first international goal: | Here’s Gyasi Zardes scoring his first international goal: |
| Interestingly, Zardes went with his right foot with the shot, even though his left would have seemed the more natural angle. No matter: Cillessen couldn’t keep it out. | Interestingly, Zardes went with his right foot with the shot, even though his left would have seemed the more natural angle. No matter: Cillessen couldn’t keep it out. |
| 3.28pm ET20:28 | 3.28pm ET20:28 |
| US Soccer has a good summation of that first half and in homophone corner I am a big fan of “individual flare”: | US Soccer has a good summation of that first half and in homophone corner I am a big fan of “individual flare”: |
| The game has zipped end to end, with both teams creating quality chances. It's been #NED individual flare and lightning #USMNT counters. | The game has zipped end to end, with both teams creating quality chances. It's been #NED individual flare and lightning #USMNT counters. |
| 3.25pm ET20:25 | 3.25pm ET20:25 |
| In the interests of balance, here’s Rob Coughlin: | In the interests of balance, here’s Rob Coughlin: |
| I’m calling foul on my fellow American Mr Strauss. I hang with a big group of soccer junkies over here, and not one of us wants our top players to play in MLS! | I’m calling foul on my fellow American Mr Strauss. I hang with a big group of soccer junkies over here, and not one of us wants our top players to play in MLS! |
| 3.22pm ET20:22 | 3.22pm ET20:22 |
| Sean Swift sticks up for Brad Guzan: | Sean Swift sticks up for Brad Guzan: |
| @timmyhilleh Guzan is quite good. I'm not sure what he was supposed to do behind that appalling Villa defense. TS was mad to drop him. | @timmyhilleh Guzan is quite good. I'm not sure what he was supposed to do behind that appalling Villa defense. TS was mad to drop him. |
| 3.21pm ET20:21 | 3.21pm ET20:21 |
| Some half-time admin: | Some half-time admin: |
| Simon McMahon gets the gags in: | Simon McMahon gets the gags in: |
| Evening Tim. In other news, Scotland are playing Qatar in Edinburgh tonight. Apparently the winner gets to host the World Cup in 2022, and the loser gets €5 million. It’s currently 0-0. | Evening Tim. In other news, Scotland are playing Qatar in Edinburgh tonight. Apparently the winner gets to host the World Cup in 2022, and the loser gets €5 million. It’s currently 0-0. |
| Wahay!!! | Wahay!!! |
| 3.20pm ET20:20 | 3.20pm ET20:20 |
| Half-time: Holland 1-1 USA | Half-time: Holland 1-1 USA |
| 45 min: Oh, so close! Depay fires wide from inside the box, and that’s half-time. But what preceded it was a strange moment: Wijnaldum thought he’d scored from Promes’s cross, and everyone started trudging back to the centre circle, but the whistle had gone for a push on Chandler by Depay. All-square at half-time. Good half! | 45 min: Oh, so close! Depay fires wide from inside the box, and that’s half-time. But what preceded it was a strange moment: Wijnaldum thought he’d scored from Promes’s cross, and everyone started trudging back to the centre circle, but the whistle had gone for a push on Chandler by Depay. All-square at half-time. Good half! |
| Updated at 3.21pm ET | Updated at 3.21pm ET |
| 3.17pm ET20:17 | 3.17pm ET20:17 |
| 43 min: Here’s Daniel Strauss: | 43 min: Here’s Daniel Strauss: |
| I’m going to stop following your MBM after reading your suggestion at 22 minutes that Michael Bradley is wasting his time in MLS, rather than playing in a “top European league”. | I’m going to stop following your MBM after reading your suggestion at 22 minutes that Michael Bradley is wasting his time in MLS, rather than playing in a “top European league”. |
| As an American who is enthusiastic about the development of the sport here in the US, this is a perfect example of the disdainful disregard that gets US fans so irate. The game is growing by leaps and bounds here every year, thanks in no small part to players like Michael Bradley who choose to come and increase the overall talent of the league. | As an American who is enthusiastic about the development of the sport here in the US, this is a perfect example of the disdainful disregard that gets US fans so irate. The game is growing by leaps and bounds here every year, thanks in no small part to players like Michael Bradley who choose to come and increase the overall talent of the league. |
| “It’s clear by your comment that you either don’t know anything about MLS or don’t really care to know anything about it. It’s a tired old cliche, and it’s becoming a less and less tenable cliche every week. Anyway, that’s why I’m closing this MBM. Thank you. | “It’s clear by your comment that you either don’t know anything about MLS or don’t really care to know anything about it. It’s a tired old cliche, and it’s becoming a less and less tenable cliche every week. Anyway, that’s why I’m closing this MBM. Thank you. |
| I’m enthusiastic about it too! I love MLS. I just think Bradley is a really, really excellent player. He could play for Liverpool or Inter or Dortmund! I wasn’t doing down MLS – I was praising Bradley. Sorry! | I’m enthusiastic about it too! I love MLS. I just think Bradley is a really, really excellent player. He could play for Liverpool or Inter or Dortmund! I wasn’t doing down MLS – I was praising Bradley. Sorry! |
| Updated at 3.17pm ET | Updated at 3.17pm ET |
| 3.14pm ET20:14 | 3.14pm ET20:14 |
| 41 min: Actually, that wasn’t too complicated: he just got the angle of pass wrong. It was lovely skill of Depay to get by two defenders, but his pass was misplaced. Shame. Then Johansson beats Janmaat, but Cillessen is out quickly to claim. | 41 min: Actually, that wasn’t too complicated: he just got the angle of pass wrong. It was lovely skill of Depay to get by two defenders, but his pass was misplaced. Shame. Then Johansson beats Janmaat, but Cillessen is out quickly to claim. |
| 3.12pm ET20:12 | 3.12pm ET20:12 |
| 39 min: Gah, that’s a clear chance for Holland! Depay had so much space down the left, cuts back, leaves Alvorado on his arse, but tries to over-complicate things by feeding van Persie, and the ball is cleared. | 39 min: Gah, that’s a clear chance for Holland! Depay had so much space down the left, cuts back, leaves Alvorado on his arse, but tries to over-complicate things by feeding van Persie, and the ball is cleared. |
| 3.11pm ET20:11 | 3.11pm ET20:11 |
| 38 min: Sunil Gulati, the head of the US Soccer Federation, is in the stand. I wonder is Sepp is watching? | 38 min: Sunil Gulati, the head of the US Soccer Federation, is in the stand. I wonder is Sepp is watching? |
| 3.10pm ET20:10 | 3.10pm ET20:10 |
| 37 min: Promes is free down the right, and puts in a fairly atrocious ball. Throw-in USA! | 37 min: Promes is free down the right, and puts in a fairly atrocious ball. Throw-in USA! |
| 3.09pm ET20:09 | 3.09pm ET20:09 |
| 36 min: This game has a pleasing ebb and flow. Janmaat is free down the right. “A devilish ball in, upon which Depay might have feasted,” opines the florid Jon Champion. Love that! Holland look dangerous going forward, but they defend like amateurs. So much space! | 36 min: This game has a pleasing ebb and flow. Janmaat is free down the right. “A devilish ball in, upon which Depay might have feasted,” opines the florid Jon Champion. Love that! Holland look dangerous going forward, but they defend like amateurs. So much space! |
| 3.08pm ET20:08 | 3.08pm ET20:08 |
| 33 min: That’s a great ball in from Johnson, in the inside-right channel, and Zardes stole in ahead of Janmaat at the back post to steer home. Slack Dutch defending, and Cillessen might have stopped that, but Zardes doesn’t care: what a way to open his account! | 33 min: That’s a great ball in from Johnson, in the inside-right channel, and Zardes stole in ahead of Janmaat at the back post to steer home. Slack Dutch defending, and Cillessen might have stopped that, but Zardes doesn’t care: what a way to open his account! |
| Updated at 3.10pm ET | Updated at 3.10pm ET |
| 3.06pm ET20:06 | 3.06pm ET20:06 |
| GOAL! Holland 1-1 USA (Zardes 33) | GOAL! Holland 1-1 USA (Zardes 33) |
| Zardes’s first international goal! | Zardes’s first international goal! |
| 3.05pm ET20:05 | 3.05pm ET20:05 |
| 31 min: More Holland pressure: van Persie, his fringe flopping in front of his eyes, trying to outdo Alvorado. Then Depay fires from long range. It’s way over. | 31 min: More Holland pressure: van Persie, his fringe flopping in front of his eyes, trying to outdo Alvorado. Then Depay fires from long range. It’s way over. |
| 3.03pm ET20:03 | 3.03pm ET20:03 |
| 29 min: Hmm. Brooks had two bad minutes there – losing two headers in two minutes. Mick McCarthy would be going nutso. But they’ve done OK so far, the USA – they don’t deserve to be behind. | 29 min: Hmm. Brooks had two bad minutes there – losing two headers in two minutes. Mick McCarthy would be going nutso. But they’ve done OK so far, the USA – they don’t deserve to be behind. |
| 3.00pm ET20:00 | 3.00pm ET20:00 |
| GOAL! Holland 1-0 USA (Huntelaar 27) | GOAL! Holland 1-0 USA (Huntelaar 27) |
| 27 min: He’s got it this time! That was too easy. A great ball in from Depay, and Huntelaar outjumped Brooks to flick in a header from six yards. That’s 40 international goals for the Hunter. And he’s got great hair! | 27 min: He’s got it this time! That was too easy. A great ball in from Depay, and Huntelaar outjumped Brooks to flick in a header from six yards. That’s 40 international goals for the Hunter. And he’s got great hair! |
| Updated at 3.01pm ET | Updated at 3.01pm ET |
| 2.59pm ET19:59 | 2.59pm ET19:59 |
| 25 min: Huntelaar’s clean through … and he can’t finish! It was a nothing ball forward, but Depay outjumped Brooks, and Huntelaar read the flick-on. He had all the time in the world, but tried to took too much time, and was crowded out. What a chance. | 25 min: Huntelaar’s clean through … and he can’t finish! It was a nothing ball forward, but Depay outjumped Brooks, and Huntelaar read the flick-on. He had all the time in the world, but tried to took too much time, and was crowded out. What a chance. |
| 2.57pm ET19:57 | 2.57pm ET19:57 |
| 24 min: Holland look decent in possession, but it’s a horror show in defence. They’re lucky to be level. Wijnaldum forces a corner down the left with some bustle and adventure. The corner’s nicely worked, short, and Blind has a crack from 25 yards. Brooks does well to get in the way. Another corner, but Guzan claims. | 24 min: Holland look decent in possession, but it’s a horror show in defence. They’re lucky to be level. Wijnaldum forces a corner down the left with some bustle and adventure. The corner’s nicely worked, short, and Blind has a crack from 25 yards. Brooks does well to get in the way. Another corner, but Guzan claims. |
| 2.55pm ET19:55 | 2.55pm ET19:55 |
| 22 min: Bradley’s a class act, isn’t he? Don’t know why he’s back in Toronto: he should be playing in one of Europe’s top leagues. And what a chance for Shea! The left-back was in acres of space down the left: Martins Indi stepped up way too late, and Depay didn’t track his runner, but Shea couldn’t finish when clean through. He should have scored. | 22 min: Bradley’s a class act, isn’t he? Don’t know why he’s back in Toronto: he should be playing in one of Europe’s top leagues. And what a chance for Shea! The left-back was in acres of space down the left: Martins Indi stepped up way too late, and Depay didn’t track his runner, but Shea couldn’t finish when clean through. He should have scored. |
| 2.53pm ET19:53 | 2.53pm ET19:53 |
| 19 min: Now Holland’s turn – Janmaat got forward well down the right, but his cross evaded everyone. Blind almost forced it, but couldn’t quite get his shot off, and USA survive. Klinsmann, looking every inch the 50-year-old Abercrombie model, is agitated. And Bradley hits the post! The USA broke down the left, and Bradley took his shot from the edge of the box early, and it spun and bobbled, but came off the inside of the post! Johnson then hit the other post, but it was offside. USA with the best chances so far! | 19 min: Now Holland’s turn – Janmaat got forward well down the right, but his cross evaded everyone. Blind almost forced it, but couldn’t quite get his shot off, and USA survive. Klinsmann, looking every inch the 50-year-old Abercrombie model, is agitated. And Bradley hits the post! The USA broke down the left, and Bradley took his shot from the edge of the box early, and it spun and bobbled, but came off the inside of the post! Johnson then hit the other post, but it was offside. USA with the best chances so far! |
| 2.50pm ET19:50 | 2.50pm ET19:50 |
| 17 min: Lovely balled whipped across the face by Promes. No one went for it though. And Depay fed Wijnaldum on the edge, but that’s a great tackle by Alvorado. Getting better, is this. | 17 min: Lovely balled whipped across the face by Promes. No one went for it though. And Depay fed Wijnaldum on the edge, but that’s a great tackle by Alvorado. Getting better, is this. |
| 2.49pm ET19:49 | 2.49pm ET19:49 |
| 16 min: Depay got a whack there. He’s limping, but he’ll be OK. (Incidentally, have you seen Depay’s abs? They’re chronic! He’s obviously doing his crunches.) | 16 min: Depay got a whack there. He’s limping, but he’ll be OK. (Incidentally, have you seen Depay’s abs? They’re chronic! He’s obviously doing his crunches.) |
| Corner for USA. Zardes came in – Cillessen was all at sea, although maybe he was being held by Johansson – and it’s another corner! And what a chance for Zardes! That was an absolute comedy by Holland in defence: like the Keystone Cops, as Mark Lawrenson would say. They couldn’t clear it – RVP and Bruma went for the same ball – and Zardes swivelled and hit it. Straight at Cillessen though. Chance! | Corner for USA. Zardes came in – Cillessen was all at sea, although maybe he was being held by Johansson – and it’s another corner! And what a chance for Zardes! That was an absolute comedy by Holland in defence: like the Keystone Cops, as Mark Lawrenson would say. They couldn’t clear it – RVP and Bruma went for the same ball – and Zardes swivelled and hit it. Straight at Cillessen though. Chance! |
| 2.45pm ET19:45 | 2.45pm ET19:45 |
| 13 min: Charles Antaki is a purist: “Oh! Some football! What with various recent events in its global administration, I’d sort of assumed it had been cancelled. Great. I don’t suppose many of us are that bothered about USA vs the Netherlands, but play on.” | 13 min: Charles Antaki is a purist: “Oh! Some football! What with various recent events in its global administration, I’d sort of assumed it had been cancelled. Great. I don’t suppose many of us are that bothered about USA vs the Netherlands, but play on.” |
| Bradley drives forward and feeds Chandler, but his cross is bad, and straight outta play. Shame. | Bradley drives forward and feeds Chandler, but his cross is bad, and straight outta play. Shame. |
| Updated at 2.45pm ET | Updated at 2.45pm ET |
| 2.43pm ET19:43 | 2.43pm ET19:43 |
| 11 min: I love how full-backs are referred to in America as “outside-backs”. They can’t stop Depay cutting in, though, and his short pass to Wijnaldum prompts another test for Guzan. Easy stuff so far, though: they Feyenoord man didn’t really get hold of it. | 11 min: I love how full-backs are referred to in America as “outside-backs”. They can’t stop Depay cutting in, though, and his short pass to Wijnaldum prompts another test for Guzan. Easy stuff so far, though: they Feyenoord man didn’t really get hold of it. |
| 2.42pm ET19:42 | 2.42pm ET19:42 |
| 9 min: A giant agricultural mow by Martins Indi on Johansson. He was never getting the ball, so Martins Indi just kicked him up the arse. Bradley tries a daisy-cutter from 25 yards that Cillessen saves, but that’s better from USA: they’re stepping up higher and disrupting Holland’s rhythm. | 9 min: A giant agricultural mow by Martins Indi on Johansson. He was never getting the ball, so Martins Indi just kicked him up the arse. Bradley tries a daisy-cutter from 25 yards that Cillessen saves, but that’s better from USA: they’re stepping up higher and disrupting Holland’s rhythm. |
| 2.40pm ET19:40 | 2.40pm ET19:40 |
| 7 min: That’s a push by Depay on Chandler. The free-kick is headed clear, and Morales hammers it goalwards. It’s wide by about a million yards. I think it’s fair to say that this match hasn’t quite caught fire so far. | 7 min: That’s a push by Depay on Chandler. The free-kick is headed clear, and Morales hammers it goalwards. It’s wide by about a million yards. I think it’s fair to say that this match hasn’t quite caught fire so far. |
| 2.38pm ET19:38 | 2.38pm ET19:38 |
| 5 min: USA sitting deep. Huntelaar wins a free-kick in a decent position 40 yards from goal on the right. Van Persie takes, Guzan claims. Guzan is starting for just the fifth time in the last 40 interantionals. Is he any good? Tim Howard, of course, is on sabbatical. Does he have to show US Soccer what he’s accomplished during his time off? | 5 min: USA sitting deep. Huntelaar wins a free-kick in a decent position 40 yards from goal on the right. Van Persie takes, Guzan claims. Guzan is starting for just the fifth time in the last 40 interantionals. Is he any good? Tim Howard, of course, is on sabbatical. Does he have to show US Soccer what he’s accomplished during his time off? |
| 2.36pm ET19:36 | 2.36pm ET19:36 |
| 3 min: Chandler gives it straight to Wijnaldum, who returns the favour. Johan Cruyff must be going spare. But that’s better from Holland: Depay cuts in from the right – Chandler blocks the shot – and then Janmaat stings Guzan’s palms from range. | 3 min: Chandler gives it straight to Wijnaldum, who returns the favour. Johan Cruyff must be going spare. But that’s better from Holland: Depay cuts in from the right – Chandler blocks the shot – and then Janmaat stings Guzan’s palms from range. |
| 2.33pm ET19:33 | 2.33pm ET19:33 |
| 1 min: What a start for Holland: under no pressure, Jeffrey Bruma hammers it into row Z. Hello football! | 1 min: What a start for Holland: under no pressure, Jeffrey Bruma hammers it into row Z. Hello football! |
| 2.32pm ET19:32 | 2.32pm ET19:32 |
| On the Holland bench, Danny Blind is rolling up his sleeves. Ruud van Nistelrooy has a closely trimmed beard. Guus looks relaxed. | On the Holland bench, Danny Blind is rolling up his sleeves. Ruud van Nistelrooy has a closely trimmed beard. Guus looks relaxed. |
| 2.29pm ET19:29 | 2.29pm ET19:29 |
| They’re playing the anthems – the Star-Spangled banner first. (A difficult song to sing: the range is so vast.) | They’re playing the anthems – the Star-Spangled banner first. (A difficult song to sing: the range is so vast.) |
| The ground is full. What a fabulous soccer nation Holland is. | The ground is full. What a fabulous soccer nation Holland is. |
| 2.27pm ET19:27 | 2.27pm ET19:27 |
| We’re just a few minutes away! The roof is closed – it’s pissing down in Amsterdam. | We’re just a few minutes away! The roof is closed – it’s pissing down in Amsterdam. |
| 2.26pm ET19:26 | 2.26pm ET19:26 |
| Brad Guzan is playing his first game of 2015. He really struggled at the end of the season with Villa, and had his place in the team taken by Shay Given, 56. Also, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore are missing for the | Brad Guzan is playing his first game of 2015. He really struggled at the end of the season with Villa, and had his place in the team taken by Shay Given, 56. Also, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore are missing for the |
| USMNT | USMNT |
| USA, meaning the USA strikers have just seven international goals between them. By contrast, Robin van Persie has 49 in 96, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 39 in 71. What a star Huntelaar is. So underrated. | USA, meaning the USA strikers have just seven international goals between them. By contrast, Robin van Persie has 49 in 96, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 39 in 71. What a star Huntelaar is. So underrated. |
| 2.23pm ET19:23 | 2.23pm ET19:23 |
| Former USA and Tottenham No 1 Kasey Keller says: “These are the types of games Jurgen Klinsmann loves to push on his players. It’s an opportunity for these young players to prove they belong at these levels.” | Former USA and Tottenham No 1 Kasey Keller says: “These are the types of games Jurgen Klinsmann loves to push on his players. It’s an opportunity for these young players to prove they belong at these levels.” |
| 2.18pm ET19:18 | 2.18pm ET19:18 |
| My colleague Maraithe asks: “Where’s Robben?” | My colleague Maraithe asks: “Where’s Robben?” |
| Robben is injured. He was struggling last season, came back against Dortmund in the German Cup semi-final, but then limped off again with a calf injury. | Robben is injured. He was struggling last season, came back against Dortmund in the German Cup semi-final, but then limped off again with a calf injury. |
| What a player, though, porcelain bones notwithstanding. When slaloming past defenders at top speed, he’s such a thrilling sight. Provocative question of the day No 2: would Robben be rated higher if he weren’t bald? | What a player, though, porcelain bones notwithstanding. When slaloming past defenders at top speed, he’s such a thrilling sight. Provocative question of the day No 2: would Robben be rated higher if he weren’t bald? |
| Tweet me and email with your considered responses! | Tweet me and email with your considered responses! |
| 2.08pm ET19:08 | 2.08pm ET19:08 |
| Here’s the tactical line-up for Holland: | Here’s the tactical line-up for Holland: |
| Bondscoach Guus Hiddink start het oefenduel tegen @USsoccer met de volgende opstelling. #NEDUSA pic.twitter.com/bl7uRqEdLw | Bondscoach Guus Hiddink start het oefenduel tegen @USsoccer met de volgende opstelling. #NEDUSA pic.twitter.com/bl7uRqEdLw |
| So RVP starts deeper, and Depay on the left. Expect Daley Blind to get forward also. | So RVP starts deeper, and Depay on the left. Expect Daley Blind to get forward also. |
| 2.06pm ET19:06 | 2.06pm ET19:06 |
| A pic from training: Jordy Clasie, Robin van Persie, Gregory van der Wiel. Lads on tour! | A pic from training: Jordy Clasie, Robin van Persie, Gregory van der Wiel. Lads on tour! |
| 2.02pm ET19:02 | 2.02pm ET19:02 |
| Tactical insight from the official Twitter feed of the USA team. As an aside, USMNT must be the worst acronym in professional sports. Maybe Team GB. | Tactical insight from the official Twitter feed of the USA team. As an aside, USMNT must be the worst acronym in professional sports. Maybe Team GB. |
| #USMNT deploys in a 4-3-3 formation. Beckerman sits behind Bradley & Morales. Johnson on the right, Zardes the left & Johannsson up high. | #USMNT deploys in a 4-3-3 formation. Beckerman sits behind Bradley & Morales. Johnson on the right, Zardes the left & Johannsson up high. |
| Updated at 2.03pm ET | Updated at 2.03pm ET |
| 2.01pm ET19:01 | 2.01pm ET19:01 |
| The teams are in! New Man Utd superstar Memphis Depay starts for Holland; Michael Bradley captains USA. | The teams are in! New Man Utd superstar Memphis Depay starts for Holland; Michael Bradley captains USA. |
| Holland: Cillessen; Janmaat, Bruma, Martins Indi, Blind; Clasie, Wijnaldum; Promes, van Persie, Depay; Huntelaar | Holland: Cillessen; Janmaat, Bruma, Martins Indi, Blind; Clasie, Wijnaldum; Promes, van Persie, Depay; Huntelaar |
| USA: Guzan; Shea, Brooks, Alvarado, Chandler; Morales, Beckerman, Bradley; Zardes, Johannsson, Johnson. | USA: Guzan; Shea, Brooks, Alvarado, Chandler; Morales, Beckerman, Bradley; Zardes, Johannsson, Johnson. |
| 1.59pm ET18:59 | 1.59pm ET18:59 |
| USA’s 2015 has been a bit like the curate’s egg: good in parts. Victories over Mexico and Panama, a creditable draw against the Swiss, and losses against Chile and a Nicklas Bendtner-inspired Denmark. | USA’s 2015 has been a bit like the curate’s egg: good in parts. Victories over Mexico and Panama, a creditable draw against the Swiss, and losses against Chile and a Nicklas Bendtner-inspired Denmark. |
| (Actually, I think that might be the wrong use of curate’s egg. @guardianstyle, help!) | (Actually, I think that might be the wrong use of curate’s egg. @guardianstyle, help!) |
| "Aggro" is what football fans typically promise their rivals, and it stands for aggravation. A lot of aggravation. https://t.co/TMn8ngWmPe | "Aggro" is what football fans typically promise their rivals, and it stands for aggravation. A lot of aggravation. https://t.co/TMn8ngWmPe |
| 1.56pm ET18:56 | 1.56pm ET18:56 |
| Here’s round-faced Dutch coach Guus Hiddink. Never a workaholic, he loves cappuccinos and riding his motorbike. (That’s true!) | Here’s round-faced Dutch coach Guus Hiddink. Never a workaholic, he loves cappuccinos and riding his motorbike. (That’s true!) |
| But his second spell as Holland coach hasn’t been so good: since the World Cup, he’s lost half his eight games – to Italy, Czech Republic, Iceland and Mexico – and only won three. Must do better, Guus! | But his second spell as Holland coach hasn’t been so good: since the World Cup, he’s lost half his eight games – to Italy, Czech Republic, Iceland and Mexico – and only won three. Must do better, Guus! |
| Updated at 1.56pm ET | Updated at 1.56pm ET |
| 1.52pm ET18:52 | 1.52pm ET18:52 |
| If you only read one thing today, make it this, by Simon Kuper of the Financial Times, about how Johan Cruyff, the father of Dutch football, invented modern soccer. It’s brilliant. | If you only read one thing today, make it this, by Simon Kuper of the Financial Times, about how Johan Cruyff, the father of Dutch football, invented modern soccer. It’s brilliant. |
| Cruyff best explained this in a 1980s TV programme that compared football to ballet. Initially, he had had no desire to debate the gay ballet choreographer Rudi van Dantzig but he rapidly got into it. | Cruyff best explained this in a 1980s TV programme that compared football to ballet. Initially, he had had no desire to debate the gay ballet choreographer Rudi van Dantzig but he rapidly got into it. |
| While he was lecturing Van Dantzig on how when the first man was passing to the second man, the third man already had to be running to receive the second man’s pass, Van Dantzig interrupted: “So it’s choreography?” “Exactly!” said Cruyff. | While he was lecturing Van Dantzig on how when the first man was passing to the second man, the third man already had to be running to receive the second man’s pass, Van Dantzig interrupted: “So it’s choreography?” “Exactly!” said Cruyff. |
| Cruyffian football is a dance for space. The British tended to think football was about willpower, Brazilians bet on the dribble and the Germans on fitness but they were wrong and Cruyff was right. | Cruyffian football is a dance for space. The British tended to think football was about willpower, Brazilians bet on the dribble and the Germans on fitness but they were wrong and Cruyff was right. |
| More from Simon here. | More from Simon here. |
| 1.51pm ET18:51 | 1.51pm ET18:51 |
| Hi! To some club managers motivated by naked self-interest, international friendlies are about as welcome as a tape recorder at a Fifa executive committee drinks party. But don’t listen to the cynics: we love them. And this one could be a goodie – two decent teams, two high-profile coaches, under the (red?) lights in Amsterdam. And to add an extra layer of complexity, these two have, as New Yorkers never tire of telling their shrinks, issues. | |
| Holland are in a Euro 2016 qualifying funk: they’re five points back of Iceland and six shy of the Czechs, having lost against both already – and looked rubbish while doing so. Given that just the top two are guaranteed qualification for next year’s tournament, Holland need to shape up and look sharp, and they have to win in Latvia next Friday to stay in the mix. They did beat Spain in their last game in March, though, so maybe Hiddink’s lot are on the up. | Holland are in a Euro 2016 qualifying funk: they’re five points back of Iceland and six shy of the Czechs, having lost against both already – and looked rubbish while doing so. Given that just the top two are guaranteed qualification for next year’s tournament, Holland need to shape up and look sharp, and they have to win in Latvia next Friday to stay in the mix. They did beat Spain in their last game in March, though, so maybe Hiddink’s lot are on the up. |
| (Here’s my compelling thesis about Holland at the World Cup: for a team that finished third, they were rubbish! Let’s look at the evidence: against Spain, a mad second half aside, they were basically crap. Crap against Australia, crap against Chile, really crap against Mexico, appalling against Costa Rica, crap against Argentina, quite good against Brazil.) | (Here’s my compelling thesis about Holland at the World Cup: for a team that finished third, they were rubbish! Let’s look at the evidence: against Spain, a mad second half aside, they were basically crap. Crap against Australia, crap against Chile, really crap against Mexico, appalling against Costa Rica, crap against Argentina, quite good against Brazil.) |
| Discuss! | Discuss! |
| Meanwhile, USA coach Jürgen Klinsmann is still trying to fiddle his roster for the Gold Cup, the biennial Concacaf jamboree that begins in the USA and Canada in July. On home soil , it’s the USA’s to lose – Panama or Haiti probably aren’t going to go all the way – but only 23 names can make the cut, and Klinsi, as Landon Donovan will attest, is not one for sentiment. | Meanwhile, USA coach Jürgen Klinsmann is still trying to fiddle his roster for the Gold Cup, the biennial Concacaf jamboree that begins in the USA and Canada in July. On home soil , it’s the USA’s to lose – Panama or Haiti probably aren’t going to go all the way – but only 23 names can make the cut, and Klinsi, as Landon Donovan will attest, is not one for sentiment. |
| It’s a bun fight for the USA roster, and today’s game, plus Monday’s fixture against Germany, should go some way towards forcing Klinsi’s hand. Besides, USA love to play European sides – it’s a nice change of pace from facing insurrectionist central American nations. Kick off is at 2.30pm ET, 7.30pm BST. Join us! | It’s a bun fight for the USA roster, and today’s game, plus Monday’s fixture against Germany, should go some way towards forcing Klinsi’s hand. Besides, USA love to play European sides – it’s a nice change of pace from facing insurrectionist central American nations. Kick off is at 2.30pm ET, 7.30pm BST. Join us! |
| Updated at 12.41pm ET | |
| 1.50pm ET18:50 | 1.50pm ET18:50 |
| Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, read Richard Whittall’s MLS weekend preview, where many top clubs are missing their stars: | Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, read Richard Whittall’s MLS weekend preview, where many top clubs are missing their stars: |
| No Michael Bradley for Toronto FC, no Juan Agudelo for the New England Revolution, and no Brek Shea for Orlando City, among others. Though there will be the usual hemming and hawing about the Major League Soccer’s incongruity with the rest of the football calendar, the level of parity in both conferences right now mean this isn’t exactly a crucial time in MLS. | No Michael Bradley for Toronto FC, no Juan Agudelo for the New England Revolution, and no Brek Shea for Orlando City, among others. Though there will be the usual hemming and hawing about the Major League Soccer’s incongruity with the rest of the football calendar, the level of parity in both conferences right now mean this isn’t exactly a crucial time in MLS. |
| Instead, nervous club supporters will be left praying their various stars will manage to avoid injury. So, the usual. | Instead, nervous club supporters will be left praying their various stars will manage to avoid injury. So, the usual. |
| More from Richard here. | More from Richard here. |