US Soccer - World Cup Qualifier: CRC 3:1 USA

The United States Men’s football team faced a match in one of it’s least favorite venues last night. Playing in San Jose Costa Rica has got to be one of the hardest tests in professional football. I challenge any european national football team to try and get a result in the Saprissa Stadium against the Ticos.

The States gave up an early goal that was partially set up by confusion in the American back. DaMarcus Beasley, playing out of position at left back, lost the ball to a Costa Rican attacker. He was able to tackle it away, but he inadvertently smashed the ball into the face of Francisco Torres. This temporarily blinded Torres, and Costa Rica used the confusion to set up an attempt at goal. The shot from Saborio was true and sharply curled over Tim Howard’s outstretched hand - 1:0 to the Ticos. Tim Howard stops this shot if he is closer to his line.

Although the U.S. played well in stretches and arguably had the ball for longer stretches, it didn’t really matter as Costa Rica finished 3 of their 5 chances on goal, whilst the US struggled to even threaten, scoring only on a late penalty for a consolation goal. It was clear from the outset that the Costa Rican side were technically superior on the artifical surface.

Some performances in this game were good for the USA. Donovan had a reasonably good game and he scored the penalty that ruined the Ticos clean sheet. Onyewu played well, as did Bocanegra in the center of defense. Marvel Wynne Junior though seemed out of his depth at times, not using his speed to his advantage, and losing possession in the attacking half forcing others to cover for him.

It seems that Beasley isn’t the answer at left back. It’s not a matter of skill, it’s a matter of physics. Beasley is strong but wiry. If the central american forwards can shoulder him off the ball, the forwards from europe will likely barge him to the ground. Seemingly the plan was that America would raid from the flank with two speedy outside backs. This was not the case as neither Beasley or Wynne was very effective at distributing or holding the ball. The better choices at the wing back positions may be Jonathan Spector and Frankie Hejduk in terms of both technical skill, and work rate. Maybe even Frankie Simek deserves a chance to land the right back spot.

Altidore was good, but didn’t see much of the ball. This is a shame, because Jozy can actually hold the ball like the true center forward/striker he is. If he’d seen more of the ball, I have no doubt that he would have scored.

Clint Dempsey was somewhat invisible in this match, never really finding his stride or truly threatening to score.

The young midfielder Torres had good moments and bad moments, sometimes winning balls defensively, and other times giving up possession with rushed passes.

Michael Bradley had been playing reasonably well until his knuckle-headed yellow card in the second half. He will be out through suspension for Honduras’ sojourn to Soldier Field in Chicago.

Mastroeni was good and won his share of balls in midfield, but his slowness of pace didn’t much help the leaden pace of the American attack.

Tim Howard couldn’t truly be faulted for any of the goals scored, and produced a memorable save in the second half.

Sacha Kljestan played a full half of fooball, and I honestly couldn’t tell you what he accomplished.

One wonders why Charlie Davies, and Freddy Adu weren’t starting this match. After they entered the match as substitutes, the American attack looked far more dangerous.

A more experienced selection makes more sense for a World Cup match played in Costa Rica. You must select players who are accustomed to the noise, the high pressure, and the Ticos swift counter-attacking tactics. Attempting to attack early in San Jose, Costa Rica may have been a bit tactically naive. The Saprissa remains an impossible place to win for America.

For those that want to point out that America are inferior at football, consider this:

Have England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, or any other vaunted world football power ever won a match at estadio Saprissa? If they have, I doubt they have won many. Perhaps the interpretation of this result shouldn’t be that America’s football is inferior, but that Costa Rica deserves a higher than #41 world FIFA ranking.