US rally falls short as Holland wins 2-1

The US couldn't overcome a silly defensive foul gifting Holland a first half penalty kick and an unlucky deflection in the second half as Holland prevailed in a 2-1 contest in Amsterdam.  The Americans held their own in the opening half as neither side really were able to generate much attack time. 

 The match looked heading to a scoreless halftime until Wesley Sneijder  drifted into the US penalty area where a Jonathan Bornstein tug spun him to the ground.  The referee rightly awarded a penalty kick which Dirk Kuyt slotted home for the lead.  A silly and unnecessary foul from Bornstein for sure.

The second half saw Holland getting the better of play, but the Americans hanging around looking to sneak the tying goal.   Holland grabbed a second goal after 73 minutes when Klaas Jan Huntelaar accepted the ball from Rafael van der Vaart, another substitute, before drilling a low shot past Howard via the backside of the unlucky Bornstein.

In the 90th minute, Ibrahim Afellay fouled DaMarcus Beasley and the Rangers man sent over a high free-kick for Carlos Bocanegra to head home and give the US a lifeline.  Holland were able to kill off the dying minutes and claim the 2-1 victory.