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In the latest soccer news: Conceding two goals in the first twelve minutes in a game where the United States needed a little luck playing away in a hostile environment was the recipe for disaster. Although the circumstance could have been worse, - they could have conceded three goals - the USMNT commenced the game with poor first touches and tackling, a lack of urgency and commitment, and  stagnant offensive movement.

 

Even though the US rarely challenged or imposed their offensive play on the Ticos defense, US provided a few attacking moments that either caused fouls in the final third or created passing lanes. Since the surface caused irregular bounces, it was important that the US' first touch settled the ball gently to their feet allowing for a quick release of the ball. On numerous occasions, Francisco Torres received the ball, shielded it, and waited for the defenders to approach. After the defenders committed to Torres, he would dribble or pause-dribble to create space for the other midfielders.

 

The few occasions, that the US dribble penetrated on the Costa Rican defenders, drew fouls and or created space to maneuver in the offensive final third. Set-piece play warranted a night in the Costa Rican slammer squandering several good opportunities with poor service, a facet where the USA could have imposed their size and strength during any aerial battles. While struggling in all facets of the game, the set piece chances could have offered a distinct advantage as the Red, White, and Blue have punished their opponents i.e. the Poland friendly on set pieces.

 

Providing and offering little in the form of leadership, Pablo Maestroni and DaMarcus deserve much of the blame for the US' horrid performance. DaMarcus Beasley demonstrated the touch of a concrete wall allowing the ball to bounce in any direction. Well noted for his strong tackling and defensive bite, Pablo Mastroeni demonstrated and proved that NFL place kickers tackle better than he does. His conditioning and work-rate resembled that of an amateur, running a 5k for charity, gassed after the first kilometer.

 

Bashing only veterans Beasley and Mastroeni will not provide enough justice. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey share blame as well due to their inability to lead by example. Did either player look danger or demonstrate leadership during the game? Clint Dempsey thrives in pressure situations and is considered a gamer, but his game appears more motivated playing in England than for his country. Being a veteran and a leader, Dempsey must remind the other players that things will improve and must demonstrate it by working hard on the field.

 

Without growing a beard or becoming a self-proclaimed rapper, Landon Donovan disappeared as a soccer player and leader much like Joaquin Phoenix as an actor. His set-piece play seemed rushed and rarely offered dangerous runs to create space for Altidore disappearing as a prime passing option. Bradley must understand that inserting Donovan as midfield winger where his increased touches creates chances for the rest of the team helps inspire the offense. When Donovan plays on the wing i.e. Poland and Trinidad & Tobago at home, the US offense assumes the role of the Hugh Jackman as the Werewolf scary, hairy, and able to release their sharp, attacking blades. Although this might overstate and exagerate his offensive effect, it does suggest that Landon Donovan provides the mojo and the necessary to jump start the offense.

 

Besides bashing the USA for their performance and rightly so, Costa Rica deserves credit for their aggressive style of defense which forced the USA to the widest points on the flanks, provided double-team pressure, and forced errant turnovers. The first goal was conceded with high pressure coupled with Beasley' poor touch and give-away in the US' final third.

 

Costa Rica forced the USA to defend their dribble penetration and also benefited from their soft defensive-marking. Their flank exploitation thrived under Andy Herron, a player who barely played for the Chicago Fire but looked dangerous against Torres and Beasley. Switching the point of attack flustered the US defense which was devoid of good communication to close down on and mark open players, leaving gaping holes in the US back line. With Costa Rica's almost-perfect play and the US' lack of presence and energy, this combination lead to the perfect recipe for a  good-old-fashion beat down.

 

In a night where everything went perfect for Los Ticos and conversely the US, experiencing everthing bad, the US must rebound from this tough lost and focus on defeating Honduras. If the US enters the game with the same intensity as Costa Rica and earn a poor result against the Catrachos, qualifying could emerge as a more difficult task as the "Giants of CONCACAF" struggle to secure an early World Cup berth.

 

 

 

Player Ratings

Tim Howard (5): performed admirably considering that his midfield and defense disappeared for stretches during the game. He made several timely saves. The score could have been much worse.

 

Marvell Wynne (3.5): Usually unflappable and relentless, the right back speedster suffered from indecision, poor spacing, and lethargic man-marking. Wynne did not demonstrate his normal speed on the flank, and even his defensive track-back displayed hints of fatigue. In his defense, the game marked his first high pressure qualifier, and his midfield colleagues did not facilitate a good performance as they were punished by inexcusable man-marking. Onyewu/Wynne pairing seemed out-of-sync when several times Gooch covered late due to Wynne's indecision. He must utilize his speed and continously provide overlapping runs. His speed was not evident for most of the game.

 

Oguchi Onyewu (5.5): remained calm and composed during most of the game. His defensive performance offered the best of the four defenders. Gooch covered for Marvell Wynne who was plagued by indecision but made the most of his situation.

 

Carlos Bocanegra (4.5) Although his distribution warranted a rating of four, his indecisive tackles proved fatal on the first and third goals. His passes pinned DMB against the sideline several times. It appeared that he was playing hot potato with the soccer ball. In his defense, Mastroeni and Bradley compromised his positioning with poor tackling and uninspired marking.  

 

DaMarcus Beasley (3):In the first 20 minutes, his touch on the ball merits a benching alone. That does not include his errant turnovers and his inability to provide a solid flank attack. The young Run DMB previously demonstrated his attacking abilities. Now, it is apparent that his poor touch and diminishing speed has caught up with him. Let's hope that the Beasley experiment at left back is over. If he starts against Honduras, it will be a real surprise.

 

Francisco Torres (5.5): appeared unsettled in the first five minutes but adapted wonderfully keeping the ball close to his body while shielding off defenders. With several defenders applying extreme pressure, he settled the ball, dribbled out of pressure, and found the open teammate. This possession under pressure favors the young Texan to receive more playing time going forward. He should have remained on the field and Pablo Mastroeni should have subbed out with Kljestan. It seems safe to comment that Torres will start now that Michael Bradley will be out due to card accumulation.

 

Pablo Mastroeni (3): Against T&T you proved your efficiency on the ball and in the tackle. The motive for bringing in a player with your nose for-the-ball and challenging nature seemed logical from Coach Bradley's perspective. However, your performance draws comparisons to the Italy vs USA World Cup. At least in this game, you attempted to tackle. For all the Ricardo Clark skeptics and the lack of chemistry between Clark/Bradley pairing, it is certain that Clark would have given the USA more of a defensive bite and would have at least played his heart out. Conditioning appears to be a fundamental weakness in your game.

 

Michael Bradley (5) offered great play in the first half covering defensively and playing well out of pressure. His composure and presence hinted that the USA would make a comeback, but Bradley's work rate plummeted in the second half contributing to the third goal allowing his man to outrun him for the score. He also missed a crucial defensive marking allowing the Tico's defensive midfielder to enter the box unscathed attempting to net on a cross.

 

Clint Dempsey (4): proved once again that he plays better in a Fulham Jersey than in a US one. Hustling and covering defensively after the first two goals, the Deuce faded in and out for stretches of the game, lacking the attacking style that enticed Fulham to open their check book. Redemption can be achieved with a strong game against the Catrachos. Several consecutive mediocre games are unacceptable.

 

Landon Donovan (4.5): With his insertion up top, it almost guaranteed that the US would struggle to service the leading scorer in USMNT history. That nightmare became a reality where Donovan was limited in his touches and the attack. Although his offensive game was neutralized, his work-rate defensively would have made Frankie Hejduk proud. Memo to Bob Bradley: Deploy Landon on the wing. 

 

Jozy Altidore (5): worked hard to hold up the ball and attempted to integrate other players in the offense. However, the Costa Rican defense smothered the US midfield most of the night denying good service. Although Jozy's fitness was questionable, a frustrating element of his game reemerges when he lacks the drive to run hard and cover space defensively, a trait that has plagued Eddie Johnson and frustrated US supporters for several years.

 

Subs

Sacha Kljestan (5): My main two concerns for Sacha Kljestan before he became a regular for the USMNT were his calm under pressure and his work rate. He bettered his work rate tremendously over the past years and has reduced his turnovers in dangerous areas. However, on Wednesday night his casual work-rate defensively was unacceptable especially being that he was a substitute. With time to pressure the attacking Barrantes on the third goal, Sacha Kljestan could have helped Bradley defensively to close down the attacking run. Instead, Kljestan chose to ball-watch as the Costa Rican fullback put the nail in the coffin with the third goal.

Despite not working hard enough for the team defensively, Kljestan did provide composure on the ball and demonstrated urgency in the attack. He continues to play inconsistent for the USMNT and Chivas USA.

 

Freddy Adu (4.5): offered good possession, decent work-rate defensively, but did little offensively. With offensive iniatitive lacking the whole game, Freddy could have asserted himself more offensively and provide the spark.

 

Charlie Davies (6): With limited playing time, Davies entered the game determined to make a difference. His first speedy run and cross down the flank posed greater danger than most US' plays throughout the night. His battle for the 50/50 balls reminded supporters of his strong game against Nigeria in the Olympics.

 

Have you healed from this Costa Rican beatdown? Who will step up next game against the Catrachos? Who will be in the starting Xl? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Latest Soccer News: USMNT loses to Costa Rica 3-1 - Player grades