USA manager Gregg Berhalter has admitted that he has been left "bitterly disappointed" after his side were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16 by the Netherlands in a 3-1 defeat.
The Stars and Stripes finished second behind England in Group B to set up a tie with the Group A winners, who produced a clinical attacking performance to reach the quarter-finals.
Berhalter's side exploded out of the blocks in the first half but suffered a sucker punch in the 10th minute, as Memphis Depay finished off a quick Oranje counter-attack.
The Netherlands doubled their lead just before the break as Daley Blind scored a carbon copy of Depay's opener, but Haji Wright responded for the USA with an unorthodox flick 14 minutes from time.
However, Louis van Gaal's side restored their two-goal lead not long after, as Denzel Dumfries volleyed home unmarked at the back post to send the Stars and Stripes home.
Speaking to the press after the contest, Berhalter conceded that the result had left him crestfallen, but he could not have asked for more from his players at the Khalifa International Stadium.
© Reuters
"This is a difficult one to handle. It's such a good group of guys, such a close group of guys and we came up short today," the USA manager said.
"But it wasn't for a lack of trying or a lack of effort. The guys put everything they had into this game and, unfortunately, we lost it.
"I'm really proud. When you think about how this group has come together over the last three and a half years, it's really special to see. You don't often get to see a bond like that between team-mates and the staff and everyone in the group. Bitterly disappointed in the result today.
"We made some progress. When people look at our team, they see a clear identity. They see a team that fights for each other, talent on the field. We made progress but on this particular night we came up short."
The USA have now been knocked out in the last 16 of the World Cup for the third time in a row, having also fallen at that stage of the tournament in the 2010 and 2014 editions.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands will meet either Argentina or Australia in the quarter-finals as the Group C winners and Group D runners-up prepare to lock horns later on Saturday evening.
Ben Knapton
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