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This is a depressing post. The United States national team is now 0-2 in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, losing to Mexico 2-1 on Friday night, then following it up with an absolutely awful Tuesday night 4-0 loss to Costa Rica. Much of the blame seems to be directed at head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, but the back line had possibly their worst performance under the Klinsmann reign. Not only due to the scoreline, but because of the mental mistakes that sunk them throughout the game.
Goal 1: Omar Gonzalez jogging to a ball he assumed would roll out of bounds, but wasn't, and his man crossed to Johan Venegas. Goal 2: a midfield giveaway from John Brooks and the eventual cross found Christian Bolanos' head, right in front of Timmy Chandler. Goal 3: a TERRIBLE Brooks giveaway right to Joel Campbell, who beat a lunging Brooks, then beat Brad Guzan on a 1-on-1 breakaway. Goal 4: Three minutes later, Chandler gives up the ball. The through ball beats the offside trap and Campbell finds the back of the net on another breakaway.
There was so much excitement on Costa Rica's behalf and disgust on the US' & BeIN Sports' behalf, that BeIN didn't announce Sacha Kljestan entered the game for Jermaine Jones. It took the official New York Red Bulls twitter account until the 92nd minute to catch that he was on the field.
Sacha Kljestan entered #CRCvUSA in the 71st minute in #USMNT's 4-0 loss to Costa Rica. #CRCvUSA#RBNY
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) November 16, 2016
Unfortunately for Kljestan, he was a ghost for the 20 minutes he was out there. If he had five touches in that time, I would be surprised.
The US didn't register a shot on goal and was outshot 24 to 7 overall.
The US have four months to forget this week and get back on track towards 2018. Their next scheduled match is against Honduras at home on March 24th. Columbus? KC? Seattle? Please, please, please... RBA or Meadowlands?
This is just depressing. Good thing there's 8 games left...
Bottom of the table on goal difference. Let that sink in. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/mxoiBeUmwe
— JJ (@thesocceryank) November 16, 2016