Costa Rica vs. USA preview: USMNT ready to bounce back in World Cup 2018 qualification The final round of World Cup Qualifying got off to a disastrous start for the USMNT on Friday night. Not only did they lose to arch-rival Mexico but they did so in Columbus home of the famous Dos a Cero scoreline. As if that werent enough the US now has to travel to a place where theyve never won and take on a team they have struggled with over the years: Costa Rica. The only bright spots on Friday night were Bobby Wood and Christian Pulisic. Other than that its all doom and gloom. Tim Howard injured his groin on a goal kick and will be out for months. The midfield play was appallingly bad partly because of the tactics used by Jurgen Klinsmann and partly because Michael Bradley is still a vastly overrated player who has yet to figure out how to not give the ball to the other team. Bradleys play was so bad that Klinsmann even mentioned him by name in his postgame press conference (along with Jermaine Jones who understandably struggled having not played a full 90 minutes with regularity since the Copa America this summer). Jozy Altidore as also poor despite that American soccer media proclaiming him back (for the 100th time) as he failed to score or trouble the Mexican defense. If the US does not play much better against Costa Rica they could start the Hexagonal with two losses and really be behind the eight ball trying to qualify for Russia 2018. Costa Rica on the other hand got their qualification campaign off to a good start with a 2-0 away to Trinidad & Tobago. They currently sit atop the standings with 3 points and a 2 goal difference. Theyve also had a great run of form lately. Theyve won five games in a row including a win over Colombia at the Copa America in June. Costa Ricas last loss was actually against the US in the Copa America. But dont expect a repeat of that 4-0. The US has never won in Costa Rica (at the old Saprissa Stadium or the new national stadium) and the current squad is stacked with nine players playing for European clubs and another four playing in MLS. The ones to watch for are former Portland Timber Rodney Wallace captain Bryan Ruiz and former Arsenal man Joel Campbell. Notes: Fridays loss to Mexico was the first time the US has lost a home World Cup Qualifier since June 2001. All three home teams in CONCACAF qualifying lost on Friday night. This is the second straight Hexagonal that the US has lost their first game. When and where on TV and streaming Tuesday November 15 Estadio Nacional San Jose Costa Rica 9pm ET Live on beIN SPORTS NBC Universo NBC Universo En Vivo Sling World Sports go90 YipTV andfuboTV (free trial) All-time series Series tied at 14-14-6 Last meeting June 7 2016 Soldier Field Chicago USA 4-0 Costa Rica Current FIFA ranking USA: 24 Costa Rica: 18 Next game up To be determined The post Costa Rica vs. USA preview: USMNT ready to bounce back in World Cup 2018 qualification appeared first on World Soccer Talk. from World Soccer Talk ift.tt/2fU2xtu World Soccer Talk Read More—http://adf.ly/1chCGU
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