The difference between the Dutch and the US was that they had a midfield.
Wesley Sneijder showed us what a committed ball controller can do. We still do not have that player. That is why we place such a premium on set pieces and counterattacks. It helps us sweep aside the weak ball possession and lack of build ups.
To be fair Michael Bradley was never the answer. Landon Donovan seems to be going through one of his cold spells. Against Sporting Lisbon too, he was AWOL. Maurice Edu is more a ball stopper than a holding midfielder.
Bob Bradley has quite a few questions. He will get back Ricardo Clark but meanwhile the lack of midfield control is a vexed problem.