Netherlands beats US in friendly
DaMarcus Beasley has boosted his South Africa World Cup chances. Jonathan Bornstein and Robbie Findlay failed. And Stuart Holden joined the long U.S. injured list.
The United States failed once again in Europe, losing to the third-ranked Netherlands 2-1 Wednesday night in the Americans’ last match before coach Bob Bradley selects players for World Cup roster.
Dirk Kuyt converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute after Bornstein pulled on Wesley Sneijder’s arm in the penalty area. Kuyt sent his kick to the right of goalkeeper Tim Howard, who dived the other way. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute with a shot that deflected off Bornstein’s chest and left the goalie Howard starnded.
U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra scored in the 88th minute, getting his 12th goal in 77 appearances by beating goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to the top of the 6-yard box to head in Beasley’s 35-yard free kick.