Forwards Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Makaay, Marc Overmars and Rafael van der Vaart were selected Friday by the Netherlands for next week's exhibition game against the United States.

In addition, the governing body of Dutch soccer extended the contract of national team coach Dick Advocaat through the 2006 World Cup.


Van Nistelrooy, the star forward for Manchester United, missed the Netherlands' last game against the United States, a 2-0 win by the Dutch in May 2002 in Foxboro, Mass. Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert, who is injured, was left off the Dutch roster.

Advocaat also named 20-year-old Ajax fullback Johnny Heitinga.

Advocaat had been criticized in the Dutch media for relying too much on his veteran players during qualification for Euro 2004 in Portugal.

But after the inclusion of 18-year-old Ajax midfielder Wesley Sneijder inspired the Netherlands to a 6-0 victory over Scotland, Advocaat appears to have altered his strategy.

Sneijder was also recalled to the Dutch team for the Feb. 18 match, along with 21-year-old Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart and PSV Eindhoven's Arjen Robben, 20.

"In the coming months the selection for Portugal will take its definitive form," Advocaat said.

Advocaat said Heitinga's selection was "a reward for his recent good play."

"Heitinga is a young player who has been developing himself," he said.

Advocaat said the United States, a quarterfinalist at the 2002 World Cup, was a good first opponent in preparing for Euro 2004.

Despite being ranked No. 4 in the world, the Netherlands failed to qualify for the World Cup, and qualification for Euro 2004 appeared in doubt until the decisive playoff match against Scotland.

The Netherlands has met the United States twice before, both times winning 2-0.

The Dutch national soccer association also said Friday it has extended Advocaat's contract through the 2006 World Cup, adding that it is "very satisfied" with his performance.

U.S. Coach Bruce Arena said the game was an "excellent opportunity" to see his Europe-based players in action. The U.S. team is preparing for the start of World Cup 2006 qualifying against Grenada or Guyana on June 13.

For U.S. midfielder John O' Brien, who plays as a fullback for Ajax Amsterdam, it will be his first game with the U.S. squad since March 2003.

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Absent for the United States is Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who is being rested by coach Arena.

Rosters
The Netherlands

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Fulham), Ronald Waterreus (PSV)

Defenders: Frank de Boer (Rangers), Wilfred Bouma (PSV), Michael Reiziger (FC Barcelona), Jaap Stam (Lazio); Johnny Heitinga (Ajax), Boudewijn Zenden (Middlesbrough).

Midfielders: Phillip Cocu (FC Barcelona), Edgar Davids (Barcelona); Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan); Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Mark van Bommel (PSV)

Forwards: Andy van der Meyde (Inter Milan), Marc Overmars (FC Barcelona); Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahce), Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich), Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United).

The United States

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard (Manchester United), Kasey Keller (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonny Walker (MetroStars)

Defenders: Gregg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus), Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Cory Gibbs (Dallas), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Eddie Pope (MetroStars)

Midfielders: Chris Armas (Chicago), DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago), Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Chris Klein (Kansas City), Eddie Lewis (Preston North End), John O'Brien (Ajax Amsterdam), Claudio Reyna (Manchester City), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City)

Forwards: Conor Casey (Karlsruher), Landon Donovan (San Jose), Clint Mathis (Hannover 96), Brian McBride (Fulham), Josh Wolff (Kansas City)