There are sports teams remembered for championships. Then there are teams remembered for almost winning championships.That's where The Netherlands enters the conversation heading into next month's FIFA World Cup.The Dutch have reached three World Cup finals and helped change how modern soccer is played tactically. Yet somehow, they still have never won the tournament.The Netherlands will use the Kansas City Current training facility in Riverside as its World Cup base camp.Riverside has already started preparing for the Dutch arrival with orange-themed decorations and welcome displays planned around the city ahead of next month's tournament.If Kansas Citians suddenly see downtown flooded with orange next month, there's a reason.Why is everyone wearing orange?You may wonder this question: Why does the Netherlands wear orange when the country's flag is red, white and blue?Orange honors the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau, which helped lead the Netherlands to independence in the 1500s.Because of that, orange became deeply tied to Dutch national identity.Dutch fans wear orange shirts, orange wigs, orange suits and sometimes completely outrageous orange costumes. The fan base even has a nickname: the Orange Army.Kansas City will likely get a taste of that atmosphere next month during a large Netherlands supporters march planned for downtown before one of the World Cup matches.The Netherlands keeps getting painfully closeNo country has come this close to winning the World Cup this many times without actually winning it.The Orange have finished runner-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010. They were considered favorites against West Germany in the 1974 final, but lost. The Dutch in that era introduced “Total Football,†a style built on movement and positional flexibility. They came close to winning in 2010, but were defeated by Spain in extra time in the final. The Netherlands could be considered the Buffalo Bills of the World Cup. Players to watch for the NetherlandsThe Netherlands enters the World Cup ranked seventh in the world and sits around 22-to-1 to win the tournament, making the Dutch more of a dark horse contender than a true favorite.However, there is still plenty of star power on the roster.Virgil van Dijk remains the team's defensive anchor and emotional leader.Midfielder Frenkie de Jong provides composure and ball control in the middle of the field.The team also suffered a major blow earlier this spring when Xavi Simons was ruled out with a torn ACL. The 23-year-old is widely viewed as one of the future faces of Dutch soccer.Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is also considered one of the rising young talents in international soccer.An economist thinks the Dutch are going to win it allWhile the Dutch may be viewed as a step below favorites like France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and England, there is at least one unusual prediction working in their favor.German economist Joachim Klement has become known internationally for using economic models and statistical forecasting to predict major soccer tournaments.He has correctly picked the past three World Cup champions.This year, his choice is the Netherlands.
There are sports teams remembered for championships. Then there are teams remembered for almost winning championships.
That's where The Netherlands enters the conversation heading into next month's FIFA World Cup.
The Dutch have reached three World Cup finals and helped change how modern soccer is played tactically.
Yet somehow, they still have never won the tournament.
The Netherlands will use the Kansas City Current training facility in Riverside as its World Cup base camp.
Riverside has already started preparing for the Dutch arrival with orange-themed decorations and welcome displays planned around the city ahead of next month's tournament.
If Kansas Citians suddenly see downtown flooded with orange next month, there's a reason.
Why is everyone wearing orange?
You may wonder this question:
Why does the Netherlands wear orange when the country's flag is red, white and blue?
Orange honors the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau, which helped lead the Netherlands to independence in the 1500s.
Because of that, orange became deeply tied to Dutch national identity.
Dutch fans wear orange shirts, orange wigs, orange suits and sometimes completely outrageous orange costumes.
The fan base even has a nickname: the Orange Army.
Kansas City will likely get a taste of that atmosphere next month during a large Netherlands supporters march planned for downtown before one of the World Cup matches.
The Netherlands keeps getting painfully close
No country has come this close to winning the World Cup this many times without actually winning it.
The Orange have finished runner-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010.
They were considered favorites against West Germany in the 1974 final, but lost. The Dutch in that era introduced “Total Football,†a style built on movement and positional flexibility.
They came close to winning in 2010, but were defeated by Spain in extra time in the final.
The Netherlands could be considered the Buffalo Bills of the World Cup.
Players to watch for the Netherlands
The Netherlands enters the World Cup ranked seventh in the world and sits around 22-to-1 to win the tournament, making the Dutch more of a dark horse contender than a true favorite.
However, there is still plenty of star power on the roster.
Virgil van Dijk remains the team's defensive anchor and emotional leader.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong provides composure and ball control in the middle of the field.
The team also suffered a major blow earlier this spring when Xavi Simons was ruled out with a torn ACL. The 23-year-old is widely viewed as one of the future faces of Dutch soccer.
Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is also considered one of the rising young talents in international soccer.
An economist thinks the Dutch are going to win it all
While the Dutch may be viewed as a step below favorites like France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and England, there is at least one unusual prediction working in their favor.
German economist Joachim Klement has become known internationally for using economic models and statistical forecasting to predict major soccer tournaments.
He has correctly picked the past three World Cup champions.
This year, his choice is the Netherlands.
