USA-Ireland Verdict: Team USA Jekyll, Hyde Lopsided Loss In Dublin

Alejandro Bedoya and Bobby Wood And so it ends — with a bang and a whimper.

The United States men’s national soccer team ended its 2014 slate of games Tuesday with a 4-1 loss to Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The defeat represents the United States’ latest failure in a “stress environment” (as head coach Jurgen Klinsmann describes road exhibition games against tough foes) and highlights its ongoing growing pains.

Team USA delivered a mixed performance against a decidedly second-string Ireland team. On the one hand, the United States dominated patches of the game, creating openings and scoring chances with high defensive pressure, crisp, up-tempo passing and clever movement. Mix Diskerud’s 39th-minute goal embodied all the United States did right in an impressive first half.

But Diskerud’s goal, which tied the game at 1-1, papered over cracks, which grew into chasms in the second half. Ireland took the lead after seven minutes, having caught the Americans on the counter-attack. The “Boys in Green” were second best for the next 40 minutes, but they improved markedly in the second half. As Ireland increased the tempo in the second half, the United States retreated into a shell of nervousness and ineptitude. In the 55th minute, Robbie Brady pounced on a misplaced clearance to start and finish the move, which led to the game-winning goal.

The United States then sunk into further depths for 10 minutes before springing back to life for the next quarter-hour. Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given preserved Ireland’s lead with a pair of stunning saves in the 67th and 81st minutes. The Americans looked like they would fight bravely until the end, but their confidence seemed to abandon them inexplicably in the game’s final minutes.

James McClean made it 3-1 when his shot deflected off of defender Geoff Cameron’s leg and beat goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Brady confirmed the rout with a beautiful free kick four minutes later.

Klinsmann will have a hard time explaining the United States’ Jekyll and Hyde performances. Substitution patterns didn’t dictate its swings between good and bad periods. Had Michael Bradley, the general of the United States midfield, played, the game might not have been as wild, open and entertaining as it was. Clint Dempsey probably would have made Team USA’s attack more lethal.

But Klinsmann didn’t include Dempsey or Bradley in this squad. Instead, he depended on a mix of young players, slightly older ones who are not in form and veterans — like the impressive Kyle Beckerman, 32, and Chris Wondolowski, 31, — whose national-team careers are nearing their natural ends.

The euphoria of the United States’ thrilling 2014 FIFA World Cup journey now has faded into memory, and we’re left with some harsh truths. The United States is conceding late goals almost every game. Its last win was eight games ago — the 2-1 win over Ghana in the World Cup opener.

Klinsmann says a World Cup hangover is afflicting his squad. That’s only part of the truth. The whole story might be darker, and the problems more difficult to solve.