USMNT Gets Beat by Costa Rica in 2018 WC Qualifier
Last night, the United States National Men's Team played Costa Rica in San Jose in a 2018 World Cup Qualifier. The Americans entered the game with a 0-8-1 record in qualifying matches against Costa Rica on the road, and they surely didn't improve on it last night.
The first half looked to be ending tied at 0-0, until a giveaway in the 44th minute changed everything. Bolanos ran the ball down to a few feet from the right corner--in relation to the goalkeeper. He saw Johan Venegas making a run to the center of the box, and Bolanos gave him a great pass. Venegas blasted the ball passed Brad Guzan, and the half finished with Costa Rica up 1-0, instead of a 0-0 draw.
The second half started pretty much like the first half; with the United States unable to create many scoring chances. In fact, it seemed as if the U.S. didn't even feel like playing the game. There was a complacency to them, and that sort of led to the second Costa Rican goal. It was the 68th minute, Bryan was charging up the right side of the field, and a tremendous pass to the center of the penalty box was headed in by Bolanos. The U.S. was down 2-0 with only 20 minutes left.
For those next 20 minutes, the United States couldn't get anything done on offense. They were so bad, that after the game, experts speculated if coach Jurgen Klinsmann had lost the team. I don't know if that has happened yet, but things surely didn't look good. On top of that, the defense gave up two more goals, allowing Joel Campbell to score in the 74th minute off a badly touched ball by Brooks, and another in minute 78 that came due to a good volley pass. The final tally was 4-0, Costa Rica with the win.
With the loss, the United States has opened the final round of CONCACAF 2018 World Cup Qualifying at 0-2. This puts them at the bottom of the table, with a long climb ahead, if they wish to make it to Russia in 2018.
