In his orange shirt in front of the TV, Maikel van der Werff follows the performance of the Dutch national team at the World Cup. The professional football player from Hoorn is especially looking forward to Saturday, when the Dutch will compete against the United States. Van der Werff himself played there for two years. “There are many football players in the US that I have played against.”
“I am impressed by Tyler Adams,” says Maikel van der Werff about the captain of the Americans. “He always keeps it excellent overview and combines that with functional football skills. All in all a pretty complete player.”
Football ability
“It is also said that the Dutch national team has much more footballing ability, I do not entirely agree with that. Look at players such as Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest and Brenden Aaronson. They are very comfortable on the ball. Although America can sometimes seem a bit wild, but it is still more fun to watch than the current Orange.”
“If more children grow up with ‘soccer’, then I see America grow to the absolute top.”
Until recently, Van der Werff played for the American FC Cincinnati. At the moment, the 33-year-old Horinees is clubless and keeps his condition up at the amateur club Always Forward. Soon after the World Cup, he hopes to return to the MLS. “Nothing is concrete yet, but that is a dream to return to the US.”
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Earnest Stewart
In his orange shirt, Van der Werff also cheers for the men of national coach Louis van Gaal on Saturday, but he expects a difficult match. “The Orange used to win with two fingers in America’s nose, but that is different now.” The Americans finished second in the group behind England, but ahead of Iran and Wales. “Football has grown enormously there in recent years and that is also thanks to Earnest Stewart.” The former director of AZ has been working for the American Football Association for several years.
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Potency
“The women are a bit further than the men. This is also apparent in view of the four world titles. Yet the American men also have that potential. After all, the possibilities there are enormous and if more children grow up with ‘soccer’, then I will see America grow to the absolute top.”
The eighth final between the Netherlands and the United States starts on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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