Football World Cup
Precise ambush by the Netherlands, who are already in the quarterfinals
“We dominate,” said Gregg Berhalter, “but football is cruel.” The United States coach left Khalifa Stadium confident that his team had done everything right. Impeccably good maybe, but sometimes and at times irrelevant to the outcome of the game, easily conquered by the Netherlands in a series of ambushes very well managed by De Jong, Depay, Gakpo and striker Dumfries.
The organization contributed more to America’s prosperity than its players. The well-developed framework of the 4-3-3 saw the rise of midfielders Musah, Adams and McKennie, three players with great limitations who, with their choices, become competent operators, confident in the game in any order, but not enough to Lead your team to the top of the last big stage. The Netherlands was waiting for him there. The nation that created the model that Americans are now exploiting has renounced its use in Qatar. Your coach Louis van Gaal made the journey there and is now back with three centre-backs and two line runners, with no shame or fear of public shame. The fans judge him harshly. They demand more self-confidence, more boldness, less prudence. But the players are well trained in inhibition. No one in the selection is free from the calculator.