USMNT confirmed starting lineup for the Round of 16 game vs the Netherlands

The US have advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2014 without losing a game in the group competition- an impressive feat for a team that failed to qualify for soccer’s most prestigious contest four years ago.

After a 1-1 draw with Wales and a 0-0 tie with England, they defeated Iran 1-0 to finish in second place behind England in Group B.

Impressive performance from the Dutch

Louis van Gaal’s squad ended the first round of the competition sitting pretty at the top of Group A, racking up seven points in their three games.The Netherlands have kept intact their streak of advancing to the group of 16 in every World Championship they have participated in since 1934. Van Gaal is on his way to stretching his run of World Cup games without losses to 11.

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Keeping the winning lineup

US Manager Gregg Berhalter has made some changes to the starting lineup that the team had in their victory over Iran. American star Christian Pulisic is recovering from a groin injury he suffered as he scored the winning goal against Iran. He had to be sent to the hospital after the collision, but is going to start against the Netherlands.

If the US team wins their next game, they would move on to the quarterfinals for the first time in 20 years. However, the odds are against the USMNT in this one, as they have lost their three previous knockout games against European teams in the World Cup.

USA confirmed lineup: