The pressure continues to pile on Jurgen Klinsmann as a U.S. National Team characterized by aimless play and sloppy midfield possession limped to a 1-0 defeat in a friendly match vs. Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena Tuesday night.
Your #USMNT Starting XI for tonight's match vs. Costa Rica. Watch at 6:30pm ET on @ESPN, @UniMas, UDN. #USAvCRC pic.twitter.com/bwf7GVtkcb
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) October 13, 2015
The first half was for the most part a drab affair for the USA, with both Michael Orozco and Brad Evans requiring emergency defending to keep the Costa Ricans off the scoresheet. The Americans' best chance came when Tim Ream got on the end of a long curving Jermaine Jones cross, but goalkeeper Esteban Navas was quick to scurry across his line and bat the attempt away.
However, the second half continued to frustrate the sparse crowd as the U.S. struggled to keep possession, struggled to create chances, etc. Jermaine Jones in particular was a frustrated figure on the field as the Americans put on an frustrating performance. Finally in the 70th minute, Joel Campbell buried a left footed finish to give Costa Rica the game winner.
In the end, Tim Howard had to stone Marcus Urena in stoppage time to prevent Costa Rica from scoring a second.