Netherlands v USA Preview

Netherlands v USA

Amsterdam ArenA
11.30am PT

Bob Bradley’s USA side will face their strongest test of the year when they travel to Amsterdam for a Wednesday morning friendly. Bradley has selected a strong squad of mostly European based players although obviously he is missing injured stars Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, Milan’s Oguchi Onyewu, and Sochaux’s Charlie Davies. Heath Pearce (Dallas), José Torres (Pachuca), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake) and Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA) are the four players flying out from the American continent for the match.

Holland are without Robin Van Persie but Arjen Robben’s form this season has been impressive for Bayern Munich side, and Wesley Sneijder’s Inter Milan side is leading Serie A comfortably. Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Milan’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will also be well known to American fans.

The Dutch qualified with a 100% record albeit in an easy group with Norway, Scotland, Macedonia and Iceland. It will be a strong test for the Americans who have two European sides in their group, although the lessons may well be limited as England play a markedly different style of football to most mainland Europe sides.

The match may well be the last chance several players have to sufficiently impress Bradley before he selects his squad to play in the World Cup. This is the squad he has selected:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (7): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (7): DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (3): Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Czech Mate: Bradley Appoints New Assistant Coach

France v Spain Preview

Bradley Announces Squad to Face Dutch