The United States Men’s National Team suffered an embarrassing loss to Costa Rica on Tuesday Night, 4-0.
It wasn’t really stunning that the U.S. Team lost to their CONCACAF rivals, but it was more of how they lost. The game wasn’t even close from the very beginning. Jürgen Klinsmann's squad committed 13 fouls and had twice as many yellow cards as Costa Rica. The US. Men’s soccer team has never defeated Costa Rica in Costa Rica dropping to 0-7 all-time.
With that loss the U.S. is now 0-2 in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, tied for last place with Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. previously lost their opening game against Mexico 2-1 when Rafael Márquez scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of play. Many have been criticizing Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann for his system and lineup structure, which hasn’t worked out as previously planned.
Mexico is the top ranked country in CONCACAF at No. 17 while Costa Rica ranks 18 and the U.S. is No. 24 respectively.
That humiliate loss was the final game of match day two of the 2016 for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The U.S.’s next game for this event will be against Honduras on March 24, the same date that Mexico hosts Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago plays Panama. In all fairness to the U.S., they have yet to play a home game thus far in round five, but that hardly a excuses a 4-0 beat down like what we witnessed.
By far the biggest problem for the U.S. is their defense. Until the U.S. make it harder on opposing teams, they won’t be able to compete with elite squads in South America and Europe, or even CONCACAF teams for that matter.
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Standings, CONCACAF
1. Costa Rica: 2-0, 6 points
2. Mexico: 1-1, 4 points
3. Panama: 1-1-0: 4 points
4. Honduras: 1-0-1, 3 points
5. Trinidad and Tobago: 0-0-2, points
6. United States: 0-0-2, points
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