The US national team entered Saturday's Group D finale against the Netherlands in must-win territory to keep their hopes of advancing at the 2019 U-17 World Cup alive, but ultimately they fell short, losing 4-0 in Goiania, Brazil.
The Americans could have advanced to the knockout stage with a win, and looked to be a decent bet for a victory with the Dutch failing to pick up a point in their first two group-stage games, but the loss means the US will finish in last place in Group D and are eliminated from the tournament.
After a tense first half, the Dutch grabbed the lead in the 42nd minute as Sontje Hansen found a pocket of space in the US' box and scored to put the Americans under major pressure.
To try and revive their prospects, US head coach Raphael Wicky made two changes at halftime with his side down 1-0, bringing in forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez and midfielder Bryang Kayo.
With the USMNT in desperation mode, Hansen scored his second goal of the game in the 51st minute, hitting a one-timer off a late run into the box and a low cross. Then the Netherlands ensured the victory when Mohamed Taabouni hit a similar goal to the second in the 70th minute to make it 3-0.
Kayo conceded a penalty on Hansen, but Dutch captain Kenneth Taylor's spot kick was saved by US goalkeeper Chituru Odunze in the 78th minute. Nico Carrera replaced Andres Jasson with 10 minutes in regulation, but it was to no avail for the USMNT, as Jayden Braaf dribbled around Odunze to score the final goal on the night in the 86th minute.
USA lineup vs. Netherlands: GK - Chituru Odunze; Joe Scally, George Bello, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Danny Leyva, Gianluca Busio, Ethan Dobbelaere (Bryang Kayo 46'), Gio Reyna, Tayvon Gray, Adam Saldaña (Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez 46'), Andres Jasson (Nico Carrera 80')
