Arjen Robben's goal in the 57th minute gave the Netherlands a 1-0 victory over the United States Wednesday in an international friendly at the Amsterdam ArenA.
The tightly played game produced few great chances. The best U.S. chance came in the 75th minute when DaMarcus Beasley headed the ball back toward Bobby Convey whose shot was saved by Dutch keeper Edwin Van der Sar.
Besides the goal by 19-year-old Robben, who scored after breaking free of his marker, Frankie Hejduk, the U.S. defense held its own against the Dutch attack, led by Manchester United star Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
''I thought we had a pretty good effort tonight, but Robben scored a great goal,'' said U.S. coach Bruce Arena. ''Even though we passed poorly and their pressure on the ball was exceptional, we did create some good quality chances in the second half. This is the first time that this group has been together since the World Cup, and to play this well I was very pleased. But letÆs be fair, I think the better team won the game.''
The loss extended the U.S. losing streak in Europe under Arena to five games.
John O'Brien missed a chance to play in his home stadium when he was sidelined after injuring his hamstring while training with Ajax last Friday. Eddie Pope was a last-minute scratch, coming down ill prior to the team's departure from its hotel.
GAME REPORT:
Feb. 18 in Amsterdam
Netherlands 1 USA 0. Goals: Robben 57.
Netherlands — Van der Sar, Heitenga, Stam, Bouma (F. De Boer, 80), Cocu (Zenden, 72), Davids (Seedorf, 46), Van der Meyde (Makaay, 46), Sneijder (Van Bommel, 46), Van der Vaart, Van Nistelrooy (Van Hooijdonk, 80), Robben.
USA — Keller, Hejduk (Cherundolo, 85), Berhalter, Gibbs, Bocanegra, Convey, Armas, Reyna (Wolff, 72), Lewis (Beasley, 46), McBride (Mathis, 61), Donovan.
Yellow card: Netherlands — Van Nistelrooy 39.
Referee: Tom Henning Overbro (Norway).
Att.: 29,700.
STATS:
Shots: Netherlands 7, USA 7.
Saves: Netherlands 3, USA 3.
Corner Kicks: Netherlands 9, USA 2.
Fouls: Netherlands 13, USA 14.
Offside: Netherlands 7, USA 1.