Olympics Final Result: U.S.-Netherlands

Before the Olympics began, U.S. midfielder Freddy Adu predicted the Americans would turn a few heads.

"A lot of people aren't giving us a chance to make it out of that group, but we're going to surprise a lot of people," he said. "I think we have a real good shot when you add guys like Brian McBride, Michael Parkhurst and Brad Guzan in goal. We've got some veteran leadership."

The U.S. certainly stunned the Dutch earlier today, which needed a goal late in second half stoppage time to tie 2-2 with the Americans.

A win would have sent the U.S. through to the next round with a game to spare.

"It's tough," said U.S.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."

The game is live on USA at the humane time of 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan was deservedly named man of the match.

He started and finished the U.S. goal that brought the Americans into a 1-1 tie with the Dutch, displaying both leadership and creativity while undoubtedly catching the eye of any watching European scouts.

"We had possession for a little while," Kljestan said of his goal. "I think we kept it for a few touches and then I played it to Stuart (Holden) and he played it back, and then I played it to Freddy (Adu) and just made a run. My guy didn't stay with me and Freddy played a great through ball. I cut inside of the last defender and hit it as hard as I could, luckily, it went in."

Jozy Altidore scored the second.

"I think we opened up a lot of people's eyes tonight," Adu said. "We're here to play, and to go as far as we can. We're not worried about who we're playing, we just want to go out there and play our game and know that we're a handful for anybody. I'm very proud of how this team played tonight."

Adu and Michael Bradley will miss the Nigeria game after picking up their second yellow card of the tournament apiece against Holland.

The U.S. line-up: 18-Brad Guzan; 2-Marvell Wynne, 6-Maurice Edu, 15-Michael Parkhurst, 3-Michael Orozco; 7-Stuart Holden, 4-Michael Bradley, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 14-Robbie Rogers (12-Jozy Altidore, 65); 11-Freddy Adu (Benny Feilhaber, 80), 17-Brian McBride - Capt.

Game story.

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