THAT WILL DO IT! USA HAVE DONE IT IN THE MOST DRAMATIC FASHION!
90'
B. Wood has scored a goal for United States! Assist by J. Morris.
UNBELIEVABLE! IT'S 4-3 TO USA! Right from that De Jong miss, the Yanks storm down the pitch. With the Netherlands all at sea in defence, Bradley pulls another crucial pass out of his bag to free Morris down the right, and his square ball is smashed into the back of the net by a jubilant Wood! I can barely comprehend this match anymore!
NETHERLANDS NEARLY WIN IT AGAIN! De Jong's towering header is saved by Guzan, and his charge onto the rebound crashes off the underside of the bar! I swear that the goal on that side of the Amsterdam ArenA has been bewitched by the same voodoo priest that kept Sepp Blatter in power for so long.
89'
D. Williams has scored a goal for United States!
USA HAVE DONE IT! IT'S ALL LEVEL ON THE STROKE OF 90 MINUTES! After an excellent save from Cillessen to deny the visitors on the break, the keeper can only watch as his defence fails to clear the resulting corner. Williams keeps it alive on the edge of the area, and smashes it in via a fortunate deflection!
88'
Netherlands continue to find space in the final third during the closing stages. The midfield for the USA is too flat, with the home side having a single line of central players to bypass, which they are doing regularly.
86'
G. van der Wiel gets yellow.
Van der Wiel picks up the first booking of the game for a late challenge. This match has really been played in a positive spirit, especially for a friendly. Four minutes left for USa to find a leveler.
84'
HOW HAS THAT NO GONE IN? Chandler is sucked out of position and Blind can snake into the area down the left. His attempted cross to De Jong is deflected to the back post, where Johnson attempts to whack it clear, only for the ball to deflect back off the PSV man and then off the post! That end of the Amsterdam ArenA has seen some extraordinary woodwork action tonight.
82'
The chances have rather dried up in the closing stages, but if I had to point a finger, I would pick Netherlands as the more likely side to score again in what time remains. Starting to peter out a little.
81'
J. Morris enters the game and replaces G. Zardes.
80'
Worth mentioning again just how accomplished Bradley has been in this game. He gives another glimpse of his quality with a glue-like first touch to take down a high ball without breaking stride. Truth be told, his resulting pass to Memphis was easily intercepted, but who am I to spoil his fun? Less than 10 minutes to go now.
78'
W. Sneijder enters the game and replaces J. Clasie.
L. de Jong enters the game and replaces K. Huntelaar.
Huntelaar threw the kitchen sink at the USA defence in his quest for a hat-trick, but there's to be no glory here for him (two goals isn't a bad takeaway from this game though!) On comes De Jong to replace him, while Clasie has also been subbed for Sneijder, who makes his 114th appearance for the national side.
Minute
Description
76'
The whistle goes against Depay for a foul on his man, moments before he tests the keeper with a curler. You wouldn't begrudge the United States a draw here, though, with both teams creating enough chances to deserve a piece of this pie. About a quarter of an hour left to go.
74'
Once again, Cillessen is tested, this time from a long-range effort. He parries though, and the defence cleans up the mess before Zardes can attack at the near post. Despite conceding twice, the Netherlands keeper hasn't done a whole lot wrong in this match.
72'
Some redemption for Brooks, who was tortured in the air by Huntelaar and Co. in defence. Speaking of substandard defending, how bad were the Netherlands on that last goal? A careless turnover and a lack of communication allowed USA all the time they needed to execute.
70'
J. Brooks has scored a goal for United States! Assist by D. Yedlin.
USA ARE BACK IN THIS! IT'S 3-2! Huntelaar is robbed of the ball by Brooks, who squares to Bradley in the opposition half. The TFC man has been excellent orchestrating the play for USA, and he finds the right pass once again, feeding Yedlin on the overlap. With pace to burn, the Spurs wing-back crosses for Brooks, who had continued his run into the box and smashes home at the back post!
67'
This is a very short off season for top-level football players. Friendlies and Euro 2016 qualifiers beckon at international level, while players from across the Atlantic will have the Copa America and the Concacaf Gold Cup to contend with. The major European seasons kick off as early as August 8th this year.
66'
D. Blind gets yellow.
65'
B. Wood enters the game and replaces A. Jóhannsson.
USA use their third of the allotted six substitutions, as Johansson's invisible evening is at an end, with Wood entering the fray. Tonight has been a learning experience, if nothing else, for The Stars and Stripes. They need to take their chances when presented, and Klinsmann could really do with demanding a triple training session on defending crosses and set pieces.
63'
D. Williams enters the game and replaces K. Beckerman.
ZARDES DENIED A SECOND! Williams does a good job to find Bradley down the right, and the TFC skipper manufactures the requisite space for the cross. It's low and hard and towards the back post, where Zardes arrives late and unmarked to apply the finish, only for Cillessen to close down the gap and make the save with his legs!
61'
At the moment, it looks like a matter of how many goals the Netherlands want in this game. Every time the ball has been crossed into the box, there's been panic in the USA back line. They conceded two goals in that manner, and could be breached again by the time all is said and done.
59'
Beckerman sees an effort flash over the crossbar with Cillessen at full stretch. Still, the Americans are struggling for inspiration in the final third. Janmaat, who was terrible in the first half, was withdrawn, and Van der Wiel hasn't conceded anywhere near the amount of space down the right-hand side. Hiddink's half-time maneuvering has done the trick.
57'
M. Diskerud enters the game and replaces A. Morales.
D. Pröpper enters the game and replaces R. van Persie.
So there's to be no party for Van Persie tonight then, with the Manchester United man pulled by Hiddink. His goal tally for the Netherlands is still at 49, but it's surely only a matter of time before that goes tumbling. Latvia are the next test for the Oranje in Euro qualifier action. Davy Proper replaces him, while the USA also introduce Diskerud and Tottenham's Yedlin.
56'
D. Yedlin enters the game and replaces B. Shea.
55'
It seems that the goal has been credited to Memphis after all. The new Manchester United man has been an active presence in this game, even though a few of his decisions have left me scratching my head. USA have a long road back now. Incidentally, just before that one went in, Brooks had a headed goal from a corner correctly ruled out for offside.
53'
M. Depay has scored a goal for Netherlands! Assist by K. Huntelaar.
HUNTELAAR IS AT IT AGAIN! The Netherlands are running rampant in this half, but even they need a slice of luck to convert their third. Huntelaar unleashes a snap-shot from the top of the box at the end of an attack that takes a wicked deflection off Memphis, before rebounding off the post and in. Bizarre sequence, that, and no way that Guzan could have even begun to get in position for that save.
51'
Two classic centre-forward's goals from Huntelaar, who is taking the shine off what is a big night for Zardes, with his first international strike, and what is supposed to be a big night for Van Persie, who is one effort shy of a half-century for the Oranje.
49'
K. Huntelaar has scored a goal for Netherlands! Assist by G. van der Wiel.
HUNTELAAR HEADS NETHERLANDS INTO AN ADVANTAGE AGAIN! Once more, the USA central defence is pulled apart by a quality cross. On this occasion, half-time substitute Van der Wiel sets up the goal, hooking a great ball into the mixer, where Huntelaar plants another excellent header into the back of the net!
48'
USA CHEAT DEATH! Van Persie springs into life, quite literally, to plant a header towards goal, only for Guzan to thwart him. The ball is still alive though, and the Manchester United man tries a back-heel to convert the rebound, only for Beckerman to stick out a leg to clear the ball off the line! That was truly a close call for the Americans!
46'
G. van der Wiel enters the game and replaces D. Janmaat.
M. Orozco enters the game and replaces V. Alvarado.
L. Narsingh enters the game and replaces Q. Promes.
Here we go again!
45'
NETHERLANDS HAVE SCORED AGAIN...BUT IT'S RULED OUT! Promes hooks a wonderful cross into the area which Wijnaldum can't help but smack into the back of the net. However, the referee, rather indecisively, cancels the goal. It's clearly not for an offside call, with replays suggesting a foul on Chandler earlier in the buildup. Needless to say, the crowd are anything but happy with that decision.
43'
With heavy rain pouring over Amsterdam, this match has been played with the Amsterdam ArenA roof shut. It's made for a stifling atmosphere inside the stadium, which thankfully hasn't translated to matters out on the pitch. Both managers will be thinking of their gameplan for the half-time interval.
41'
Huntelaar's goal, by the way, has seen him draw level with Patrick Kluivert on 40 goals for the Netherlands - tied for second all time. The record scorer? His strike partner tonight. Van Persie is one goal away from notching a half-century of international strikes for the Oranje.
39'
SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2-1 TO THE HOSTS! Depay beats all comers down the left wing thanks to some terrible concentration at the back, and he then cuts inside his man to square up to Guzan. However, he tees it up for Van Persie instead of taking a perfectly logical shot from point-blank range. Beckerman gets himself in the way of the former Arsenal man to snuff out the chance.
37'
USA haven't really been able to push on from the head rush of that equaliser. Netherlands have tried to pass them into submission since restarting the match. Not long left in this half now.
35'
This has been a thoroughly entertaining friendly encounter. With most of the Netherlands' squad coming off the end of a long European season, and almost the entirety of the USA contingent in the midst of MLS action, you would expect the players not to be committing much in terms of runs and movement. That has not been the case - though some of the defending from the Netherlands has looked very weary.
33'
G. Zardes has scored a goal for United States! Assist by F. Johnson.
USA ARE BACK ON LEVEL TERMS! Johnson weighs up his options on the right, and decides to hook a tremendous cross into the area. The ball reaches Zardes all the way at the back post, and Janmaat is once again found wanting when it came to keeping an eye on his man. The LA Galaxy man does enough to guide the ball over the line for his first ever international goal!
31'
Don't rule the USA out of this one yet though. They've proven themselves more than capable of troubling the Netherlands in the final third. Some quick out-balls down the flanks would serve them well again, especially with the Dutch full-backs lacking in positional nous tonight.
29'
It's the Netherlands with their tails up now, with strong periods of play either side of Huntelaar's opening strike. That crucial zone between the USA midfield and defensive lines is not being dominated by the Dutch midfield. The Yanks must be regretting those earlier spurned chances now.
27'
K. Huntelaar has scored a goal for Netherlands! Assist by M. Depay.
OPENER! AND IT'S HUNTELAAR! Brooks survived one slip up against the striker, but he's got no such luck at the second time of asking. An inswinging cross comes in from the left-hand side, and the Schalke man ghosts goalside of his man to plant a wonderful header in to the back of the net! Great delivery from Memphis too!
25'
HUNTELAAR CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A GREAT BREAK! A nothing ball down the centre is flicked into the path of the Schalke man, who has the advantage of Brooks completely out of position. However, he can't steady himself in time to beat Guzan from the resulting one-on-one! Almost a costly switch off from the United States there.
23'
NETHERLANDS SURVIVE ONCE AGAIN! Brek Shea completely roasts Janmaat down the left-hand side, making inroads on goal. Such was the space that he had, that even his first touch that saw the ball spill nearly 10 yards ahead of him wasn't enough to see him lose possession. He shapes for a curler into the bottom corner, but Cillessen spreads himself excellently to make the stop. The ball is spilled, but the Netherlands keeper also smothers it to his chest before Johnson can pounce!
21'
HOW ARE THE UNITED STATES NOT AHEAD! They've just rattled the woodwork twice! Bradley takes aim at Cillessen once again, but his effort rattles off the base of the post! It rebounds to the opposite side, where Johnson is first to the loose ball, only to smack it off the outside of the other post! That goal is living a charmed life.
19'
Shea hounds Memphis off the ball in the first glimpse of an attack for the Netherlands in quite a few minutes. Huntelaar has barely touched the ball - not that he often does, at any rate. More crucially, Van Persie, dropping deep to link his strike partner and the midfield, has not been able to get into this game. This is the kind of form that has seen them slip five points off the pace in their Euro qualifying group.
17'
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1-0! Netherlands don't deal with a corner, and Morales flicks it back into contention. Once again, the Dutch defence is scrambling to clear their lines, and Zardes pounces on the confusion to slap a shot on goal. It was right at Cillessen though, who really should have been left with no chance! Pressure on Hiddink's men now!
15'
Really encouraging stuff from the Americans now, who have taken the initiative in this match. The right flank in particular is looking like a promising avenue of attack for them. Netherlands are just too ponderous in midfield, and it's inviting pressure from the opposition.
13'
Clasie is left eating the dust of Bradley, who has options down the centre and the right flank. He chooses the latter, but his ball to an overlapping Johnson is too close to the monitoring Martins Indi, who is able to clear the danger before a cross can come in.
11'
Wijnaldum nearly makes inroads down the left-hand side, but Guzan is positioned well to smother the ball. Netherlands are looking a little static at the moment on the ball, which is a credit to the way that Klinsmann's team have organized themselves at the back.
9'
BETTER FROM THE UNITED STATES! The ball is worked to Bradley in shooting range, but the Toronto FC captain can't direct it in a manner that would seriously trouble Cillessen. Still, that has to encourage the visiting side. The first 10 minutes or so have just flown by, even with the lack of chances.
7'
Netherlands haven't quite pushed on with their dominance as you might have expected after watching their opening minutes to the game. It remains to be seen just what the USA have planned for their attack though, as they've not really been able to keep the ball in the opposition half for any kind of sustained spell.
5'
The pitch at the Amsterdam ArenA has only been re-laid two days ago, after a concert was held at the venue. It will be a factor to consider if we see either side struggle to find the perfect accuracy on their passes.
3'
JANMAAT! The Dutch pin USA back in their own defensive third almost from the offset, and Van Persie leads a neat attack that sees the ball teed up for Janmaat at the top of the box. However, his effort is right down the throat of Guzan, who still needs two bites of the cherry to bring it under his control! Great start to this one from the Oranje.
1'
Off we go!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the friendly match between Netherlands and the USA. Amsterdam is the locale as the Uefa and Concacaf heavyweights do battle, with both sides preparing for important competitive action this summer.
Guus Hiddink's side have a Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia to contend with in a weeks' time. The Oranje haven't been doing too well on that front, sitting in third place in their group, with Iceland and Czech Republic setting the pace.
USA have Gold Cup action to contend with this summer, a tournament where they are traditionally ranked as hot favourites. The Stars and Stripes also have another tasty friendly to follow this one however, with Jurgen Klinsmann set to take on his birth nation Germany.
With that last controversy, the referee signals for the break. An entertaining and open game has seen the Netherlands and USA register a goal each. Klinsmann's team have dominated this one in terms of genuine chances, but the Oranje really began to turn it on in the latter stages of the half. Strong periods for both teams in the opening half, and let's hope for more of the same after the restart. Stay tuned.
USA have secured their first-ever win against Netherlands thanks to Wood's historic goal with one of the last kicks of the game. What a friendly this was! Seven goals, a bunch of lead chances and more strikes against the woodwork that I can remember. The plucky Americans once again prove themselves against high-calibre opponents. However, question marks abound once again around Hiddink's team, who must pick themselves up for a crucial qualifier against Latvia.
That's all from me. I've been Keeghann Sinanan and this has been a treat!
Commentary
More…