The first half told the story for the US. Jones, Altidore and Cameron all played the first half before being substituted.
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The Americans finished fourth in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, their poorest performance since 2000.
The match against Costa Rica will be seen as a blessing for many inside the USMNT camp as they have the opportunity to get back to winning ways and forget all about the loss to Mexico and the fact that they won’t be competing in next year’s Confederations Cup.
The Americans extended their winless streak at home against CONCACAF teams to four games, tying a record that is a few 50 years old.
Klinsmann turned meteorologist for his analysis. “[In] 2012, 2013, 2014”. I respect that. But at the same time with everything that goes not my way, I get even hungrier to turn it around the other way.
They were outplayed and fortunate not to concede several more against Costa Rica.
Klinsmann changed eight of his starters from Saturday, keeping only defender Geoff Cameron, midfielder Jermaine Jones and forward Jozy Altidore. All three were replaced at the start of the second half. That’s why I’m going to take this team and go through that.
The 2015 version of the team has no excuse as one of the two powers in CONCACAF. “We weren’t able to shake this off in two days”.
Unfortunately for the US and team boss Jurgen Klinsmann, Howard’s return did little to ignite the stagnant attack.
Klinsmann anticipates the pair will rotate going forward.
The United States men’s national soccer team is neither ideal nor is it much of a union. After another give and go on the right flank, Arsenal’s Joel Campbell ran into the box unmarked and pushed his shot just past the outstretched arms of Tim Howard to score the lone goal of the evening.
With the result no longer in doubt in the last ten minutes of the game, hometown hero Tim Howard came off his line to make a huge save to keep this a one-goal game.
The United States begins its World Cup qualifying campaign in November against St. Vincent’s in St. Louis followed by an away match in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Every cycle is a rebirth and you have to shake things up”, Howard said. They are special. When do you play the next time in front of 93,000 in a one-off game like that? Not with players sniping at each other on the field. I’m trying to do a good job, and I’m privileged to have that role and represent the United States soccer program.
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Klinsmann used his weather metaphor.
