The United States opened its first knockout-round game at the World Cup in eight years looking energized, adventurous and aggressive. And then it let its guard down for a minute and fell behind.
And then it did it again.
Memphis Depay gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead after only 10 minutes on Saturday, slamming home a wide-open shot from the top of the penalty area to complete a 20-pass move in which the Netherlands ran the Americans around the field and then — in two quick passes — cut them wide open.
Cody Gakpo delivered the first ball, sending it out wide on the right for an overlapping Denzel Dumphries.