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[BethlehemFC]

Originally Posted by usamu

The article says Arena is alternating the goalies so they don't have to travel to only sit on the bench.

With the team we're taking, it should be fun to watch.

Yeah -- should be a good match. Nice (and tough) test for the US.

[Soccerdad]

love the roster, Friedel I think down to#3 on the depth chart, not having the greatest season this year.

US should do very well with this roster and the fact that most are currently playing.

[Frank Cunha]

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"This will not be an occasion for experiments. We do want to win this game."
-- Dutch coach Dick Advocaat on Wednesday's friendly against the USA (2:30 pm ET, live of ESPN2).

"It's just a friendly but we don't play at 50 percent, we always play at 100 percent. You just want to go and show you are in good shape and of course we want to win every game."
-- Dutch defender Jaap Staam.

"We begin by evaluating the pool of players who we have, and determining if these are the kind of players who can help us be successful. If not, what are our alternatives? It’s a somewhat logical, yet somewhat un-scientific, method. It’s about getting good games and good competition, and giving these players the opportunity to show what they can do at the international level. Who knows if there is a player out there we haven’t thought of? In 1998, I wasn’t thinking DaMarcus Beasley would be starting for us in the World Cup. There could be another Pablo Mastroeni hanging out in MLS waiting to be discovered. The lesson here is: you have to keep an open mind about it.”
-- U.S. coach Bruce Arena.

[Frank Cunha]

U.S. SOCCER: Dutch use U.S. clash to prep for Euro 2004

U.S. coach Bruce Arena welcomes his strongest squad since the 2002 World Cup for tomorrow's clash against the Netherlands as he prepares for 2006 World Cup qualifying while Dutch coach Dick Advocaat is fine-tuning his team for this summer's European Championship in Portugal.

(Netherlands vs. USA, Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Amsterdam, live on ESPN2, 2:30 pm ET)

The Dutch, who won the 1988 European Championship -- their only major title -- fell in the semifinals in 1992, the quarterfinals in 1996, and the semifinals in 2000. The Oranje will be looking to redeem itself in Portugal after having failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

"This game is our first step toward the Euro finals in Portugal," says Advocaat, whose team was drawn into Group D with Germany, the Czech Republic and Latvia. "I will shape my squad along the way. I consider World Cup quarterfinalist America to be a fine opponent to start our preparation."

Advocaat coached the Netherlands at the 1994 World Cup, where the Dutch fell to Brazil in the quarterfinals, then coached club ball, including a stint at Glasgow Rangers, to whom he brought U.S. captain Claudio Reyna. Advocaat returned to the Dutch helm after Louis Van Gaal failed to qualify to team for the 2002 World Cup.

Advocaat's roster for the U.S. game includes three players from his 1994 World Cup team -- defender Frank DeBoer, forward Marc Overmars and Edwin van der Sar, a backup keeper in 1994 who is now the Dutch starter. It includes eight players from Coach Gus Hiddink's 1998 World Cup team, which fell to Brazil in the semifinals: Van der Sar, Frank de Boer, Jaap Stam, Boudewijn Zenden, Phillip Cocu, Edgar Davids, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Overmars.

Uncapped Ajax defender Nigel de Jong is a last-minute replacement for Barcelona defender Michael Reiziger, who injured his thigh last Sunday. Reiziger's teammate, forward Patrick Kluivert, is also absent because of injury.

Another uncapped Ajax defender, Johnny Heitinga, was called up for the game while Advocaat left out Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Paul Bosvelt.

"I have an extended list of possible candidates," Advocaat said, "so the selection can, and probably will, be different for each friendly match. So players should not be too worried yet."

The Dutch offense is led by Manchester United star Ruud van Nistlerooy, who scored a hat trick in the 6-0 playoff win over Scotland that clinched European Championship qualification. That win highlighted the talents of youngesters Rafael van der Vaart, 20, and Wesley Sneijder, 19, who scored and assisted on two goals.

"We have to watch carefully to see how the youngsters develop," Advocaat said. "For instance, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart did very well together in the team against Scotland, but we have to keep on evaluating those options constantly. We also have a number of players who are able to play in different formations with different tactics and playing styles, so we also take our time to select the best possible formation."

Foward Roy Makaay, who leads Bayern Munich in scoring with 12 league goals after joining the German club on a $25 million transfer last summer from Spain's Deportivo La Coruna, will hope to impress Advocaat after failing to secure a regular spot in the lineup during European Championship qualifying.

DUTCH ROSTER FOR U.S. GAME:

GOALKEEPERS
Edwin van der Sar (Fulham, England)
Ronald Waterreus (PSV, Netherlands)

DEFENDERS
Frank de Boer (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Wilfred Bouma (PSV)
John Heitinga (Ajax)
Nigel de Jong (Ajax)
Jaap Stam (Lazio Roma)
Boudewijn Zenden (Middlesbrough, England)

MIDFIELDERS
Mark van Bommel (PSV)
Phillip Cocu (FC Barcelona, Spain)
Edgar Davids (FC Barcelona, Spain)
Wesley Sneijder (Ajax)
Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax

FORWARDS
Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Andy van der Meyde (Inter, Italy)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, England)
Marc Overmars (Barcelona, Spain)
Arjen Robben (PSV)

2. U.S. SOCCER: John O'Brien ruled out of Dutch clash

Ajax Amsterdam defender John O'Brien, the one member of the U.S. roster who plays his club ball in the Netherlands, will miss tomorrow's game because of a hamstring strain suffered in Ajax practice last Friday.

[Frank Cunha]

3. U.S. SOCCER: USA to face Haiti and Poland

The U.S. national team will follow up its friendly on Wednesday in the Netherlands with friendlies against Haiti (March 13 in Miami, Fla.) and Poland (March 31 in Plock, Poland).

The Americans, who begin their qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup with a two-game series against Grenada or Guyana (June 13 at home; June 19 or 20 away), will also play friendlies April 28 and May 26 at sites and against opponents still to be finalized.

Grenada and Guyana meet (Feb. 28 and March 14).

Haiti is one of the USA’s potential opponents in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

[BethlehemFC]

Since the match is televised maybe we should have a thread for this with a result warning. Someone may be taping during day.

I'll be able to watch when it's on.

[Soccerdad]

I,ll be taping at home, matchtracker at work........

[Lemmy]

This should be a really easy game. The US could use their U-18 against Haiti and still beat them.

[Frank Cunha]

I starter a thread with the R and the results

[Frank Cunha]

first 18m still 0-0
Kasey Keller starter in goal for the USA

[Frank Cunha]

31m great save by Kasey Keller

[Frank Cunha]

half time 0-0
Holland was in command for much of the first half
0 corner kicks for the USA
6 for Holland

[Frank Cunha]

57m goal Holland
Robben

[Frank Cunha]

61m
Mathis in for McBride

still Holland-1-USA-0

[BethlehemFC]

Tough loss, but nothing to be ashamed of.