3/3 Friendly: A Brief Look at the Dutch

At about this time tomorrow afternoon, the USMNT will be facing off against the Netherlands, who are currently 3rd in the FIFA rankings. The Oranje will choose their game day roster from the following camp of 23:

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (Twente), Piet Velthuizen (Vitesse)

Defenders: Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Andre Ooijer (PSV), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg)

Midfielders: Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Wesley Sneijder (Inter)

Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Klass-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan)

Clearly, it's a pretty loaded lineup that will present a pretty stern test for Michael Bradley and company.

Wednesday's friendly will be the first match of 2010 for the Netherlands.  They breezed through World Cup qualification, winning all eight of their games against Norway, Scotland, Macedonia, and Iceland.  They won all of their home games by at least a two goal margin, outscoring their opponents 11-0 in the process.  2009, however, ended on a less impressive note, as Bert van Marwijk's side played to three straight scoreless draws against World Cup qualifiers Australia, Italy, and Paraguay.  Granted, these are quality opponents on another level than those aforementioned qualifying foes, but I'm sure folks in the Dutch camp weren't too happy with not scoring a single goal in 270 minutes of play.

They'll be looking to break that streak at Amsterdam Arena, where just seven months ago they played USMNT Group C opponent England to a 2-2 draw.  That result was part of what is now a 15 game unbeaten run, dating all the way back to October 2008.  In the process of that run, the Dtuch acquired the coveted (OK, not really) Unofficial Football World Championship, a title which the USMNT can take if they are able to come away with a win tomorrow.

The battle at outside midfield could have a big impact on the match, with Landon Donovan and Stuart Holden potentially matching up against Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben, who has scored a goal in 7 of his last 10 matches with Bayern Munich.  With the wings serving as a focal point for the US attack, it's important for Holden and Donovan to get forward, but it will be equally important that both track back and contribute on the defensive end, as well.  Fortunately, both having been doing that pretty well of late with their respective English clubs.

With a less than full-strength midfield and back line, it will be a tall task to keep the Dutch attack at bay.  Nevertheless, let's try not to get too carried away with the result, whichever way it goes.  Unfortunately, though, Jason Davis over at Match Fit USA is probably right when he says that over-the-top analysis will be inevitable.

Tune in to ESPN2 tomorrow at 2:30, and if you can't, come over to US Soccer Daily, where I'll probably be running a live chat during the game.
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