AMSTERDAM – Michael Bradley was a proud captain after helping to guide a young US national team to a historic 4-3 comeback victory over the Netherlands on Friday night.
The midfielder notched a pair of assists as the visitors rallied with three goals in the final 20 minutes to score their first ever win over the Dutch. Bradley kick-started the rush for Bobby Wood's winning goal with a 50-yard gallop before releasing set-up man Jordan Morris.
Having played in a 2-1 loss the last time the USMNT visited Amsterdam ArenA for a friendly five years ago, Bradley was especially pleased by the way the victors went toe-to-toe with the mighty Dutch until the final whistle.
"The result in the end makes it easier to say that," Bradley told reporters after the match. "In football at this level, the margins are so small – a play here, a play there makes a big difference. There's a certain point when you're down 3-1, but I thought we did very well to stick together. In the end, I think we were rewarded for that mentality."
Bradley was also pleased to see so many developing US players enjoy confidence-boosting performances against the World Cup 2014 third-place finishers. Gyasi Zardes, Daniel Williams and Wood each tallied their first international goals, while Morris and DeAndre Yedlin provided assists off the bench.
One could almost see the kids grow more comfortable facing up to the hosts as the game wore on.
"That's the idea," Bradley nodded. "These games are so important just for that. Certainly, tonight, playing Holland in this stadium is a big occasion. When they get the opportunity to step on the field in games like this, they make the most of it.
"Not just in terms of the performance, but also soaking in the experience. A few years down the line when we find ourselves in a World Cup and big games that really count, we have a bunch of guys who have a feeling that they've been there before."
