Netherlands Beats U.S. 1-0 in Exhibition

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) _ Playing with a full-strength team for the first time since last year’s World Cup, the United States lost to the Netherlands 1-0 in an exhibition game Wednesday night as Arjen Robben scored in the 56th minute.

The speedy Robben took the ball down the side of the field, headed it past Frankie Hejduk as he cut to the center, then beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

The United States, preparing to start qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in June, dropped to 0-1-1 this year.

Josh Wolff, a second-half substitute, had a good chance for the Americans in the 82nd minute but was stopped by goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Landon Donovan, Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride had a good combination in the first half, but McBride’s header was wide.

Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy was given a yellow card in the 30th minute after knocking the ball into the goal with a hand on a free kick. In the 13th minute, Van Nistelrooy put the ball in the next but the Dutch were called for offsides.

Netherlands defender Jaap Stam touched the ball in front of his goal with his upper arm in the 78th minute but wasn’t penalized by Norweigan referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.

The Americans play Grenada or Guyana in their first round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.