The United States men’s national soccer team is neither perfect nor is it much of a union. In fact, Team USA’s in tatters right now.
The U.S. reinforced these harsh realities Tuesday in its 1-0 exhibition loss to Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Team USA’s uninspired performance against a CONCACAF rival offered beleaguered fans no reasons for encouragement, left plenty to be desired, and the result ultimately was a kind one to the well-beaten hosts.
Joel Campbell scored the game’s only goal, finishing off a flowing move Dave Myrie set up from the deepest part of U.S. territory in the 69th minute. Campbell’s finish was high-level but Myrie raided forward with the ease of men playing against boys. And it was neither the first, nor last, time Costa Rica entered that danger zone and made something happen.
Campbell’s goal and the move leading up to it were apt reflections of the balance of play, as Costa Rica out-hustled, out-thought and out-played the U.S. all but tiny pockets of the 90-minute contest.
Team USA’s struggles started before kickoff. Klinsmann released a number of key players following Saturday’s loss to Mexico and sent Fabian Johnson back to his club due to his apparent unwillingness (depending on whom you ask) to play through pain in the fateful CONCACAF Cup game.
Those pregame personnel changes left Klinsmann with a weakened squad to face Costa Rica, and the embattled coach made the least of it. Klinsmann’s starting XI included a midfielder and center back masquerading as fullbacks and two ball-winners, Jermaine Jones and Danny Williams, in central midfield who offered little more than occasional protection for the center backs.
Strikers Jozy Altidore and Gyasi Zardes lacked service throughout their 45- and 72-minute shifts. They might not have made good use of quality service if it came their way — such is the extent of Team USA’s struggles to gain and maintain possession and create scoring chances from it.
The only danger the U.S. posed to Costa Rica came from set pieces with Tim Reams’ header in the 30th minute representing its best opportunity. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas denied Ream at the near post, and the teams’ respective performances rendered the Costa Rica goalkeeper a virtual spectator the rest of the time.
Meanwhile, the Ticos posed constant threats going forward, particularly on the counter attack. The system Costa Rica rode to the quarterfinals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil sliced the makeshift U.S. back line open at will.
Tim Howard kept the score close with a number of routine saves and a few standout ones. The popular U.S. goalkeeper was making his first appearance since the loss to Belgium in last summer’s World Cup.
The U.S. played badly in a consequential game against Mexico and reached new depth in an exhibition we can’t overlook as a one-off. The historic context of the Costa Rica loss and the fact Team USA starts 2018 World Cup qualifying next month makes the result and performance warrant intense scrutiny.
If you think the loss looks bad in print, it was far worse on paper.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ussoccer
