Sunday night Olympics — USA Men draw with Netherlands

Sunday night Olympics — USA Men draw with Netherlands

The USA Men played their second Group B match on Sunday night versus Netherlands in Tianjin, China. While they dominated most of the way, and led 2-1 into the final stoppage time, a stunning equalizer for Netherlands was scored in the last seconds of the game by Gerald Sibon, who had been subbed in at 75′…

The Americans had to play catch up against the heavily favored Dutch, but once USA goals were scored - first by Sacha Kljestan (64′), then by Jozy Altidore (72′) - it looked as though the U.S. would cruise to their second consecutive win in this Olympics.

The point from the draw does keep USA on top of the group, but tied with Nigeria, whom they will play for their final match of this stage. USA will go through with a win or draw against that team on Wednesday…

from team’s official site,

The U.S. Men’s Olympic Soccer team was just minutes away from clinching a spot in the knockout stage after two games, but a late equalizer from the Netherlands shocked the U.S. for a 2-2 tie on Sunday at the Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

The Netherlands took command early on a goal by Liverpool’s Ryan Babel, but the U.S. answered in the second half with a 64th minute goal by Sacha Kljestan and took the lead when Jozy Altidore struck in the 72nd.

However, in the third of three minutes of added time to the second half, Netherlands substitute Gerald Sibon drove a low free kick under the U.S. wall from 21 yards out to tie the game.

“It’s tough,” said U.S. head coach Peter Nowak. “As I told the guys in the locker room, that’s the way the game goes sometimes. Not too many people gave us a chance tonight against the European champions, but we were very close to beating them. We have unfinished business. Going into the game with Nigeria, any result other than a loss, and we will pass into the quarterfinals.”