US media react to Leeds United star Tyler Adams performance in World Cup clash vs Netherlands

US media have blasted Leeds star Tyler Adams for his role in the Netherlands' opening goal that helped knock the USA out of the World Cup.

The USMNT suffered their first defeat of the tournament as Louis Van Gaal's Netherlands team earned a 3-1 win in the round of 16 stage, eliminating Adams' side at the first knockout round.

But despite a top showing throughout the tournament so far for the Elland Road man, the media in his homeland were quick to point the finger at their captain for his role in Memphis Depay's opening goal.

Sports outlet The Athletic pointed out that it was "hugely unusual" for Adams not to track his man as he lost Memphis, who cooly slotted into the corner after a pull-back from Denzel Dumfries, with the midfielder called out as he "didn't do a good enough job".

The US version of Goal also pointed out his mistake, rating him just a 5/10 for his performance and saying that they felt for him as his "first mistake of the tournament came on that Depay goal".

That was then followed up by CBS Sports, who rated his performance as a 5/10 also and reported he was "at fault" for the first goal, while also stating that "this was the first game of the tournament where Adams didn't shine brightly."

Harsh

Considering just how good Adams had been in the tournament up to the game on Saturday afternoon (3 December), it's harsh to be so critical of this one performance from the Leeds man.

The USA were undoubtedly the underdogs in the game against the Netherlands, who are a footballing heavyweight and have got far better individuals across the pitch than the USMNT.

But Adams was able to help keep the game competitive for long stretches and was strong barring one or two moments where he had a lapse in concentration.

That is the difference between a good player and the elite players, and Adams is still only 23 yet he has already achieved so much in the European game and has now established himself as one of the best players in the American setup.

One bad performance doesn't make him a bad player, and to blame the defeat and even the goal on him considering how much else happened in that game is incredibly harsh, but now he'll return to Elland Road where he's loved and can get back to doing what he does best.

In other Leeds news, the club want to sign a Madrid-based forward in blockbuster January transfer