Pro Soccer News: U.S Men's National Team Lost to Costa Rica

Soccer News: U.S. Men's National Team Lost Momentum and the Match to Costa Rica. Final Score 0-1. The 0-0 Score at Half Time Turned into Disappointment for America when Costa Rica Successfully Scored on a Rebound.

While Head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann took great pride in his line up and the American drive to win, the U.S. Men's National Team left the pitch tonight after losing to Costa Rica in an international Friendly. After a great start and high energy, the USA lost steam and possession of the ball, which -- as all soccer fans know, can be the beginning of the end.  

The game between CONCACAF rivals kickoff at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California in front of a packed house looking for victory. While the U.S. team did everything right in the first half, the second half of the match was different.  American soccer is known worldwide as an athlete's sport and tonight America looked tired on the pitch after halftime.  

Althougth the USA dominated in the beginning and played a beautiful game of possession soccer, domination on the field must be converted into goals scored, otherwise you simply don't win. 

The U.S. Men's National team was unable to get the soccer ball in the back of the net while they had the advantage of possession, and during the 63rd minute, lost control of the ball.  The USA defenses were momentarily lowered and Costa Rica played a beautiful 'Barcelona-style" play with a back pass to a well positioned player who shot on goal.  U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was able to block the first attempt to score with a great save, but not the quick rebound.  Although Howard almost got in front of the rebound shot in time, the ball slipped in to the net and Costa Rica scored, picking up additional momentum and drive, which carried the team throught to the end of the match.

Some commentators said the U.S.'s defenses were carved open, or that the U.S. defenders were not strong enough or responsive enough to avert the scoring opporuntiy.  The thousands of soccer supporters said somethinng much simpler; loud booing could be heard from the stands.

The America soccer team did everything right in the first half and now can go back to the locker room knowing there are lessons to be learned.  At least we know our country's team now has the leadership to turn this loss into a strong opportunity for greatness.   Why the U.S. faded so badly is the real question now.

Team Captian was Carlos Bocanegra who played a strong game tonight.

Official Game Notes and Player Quotes now available

U.S. Men's National Team line up information for tonight's match:

1- Tim Howard
2- Timmy Chandler
3-Edgar Castillo
4- Michael Orozco
5-Carlos Bocanegra
6-Maurice Edu
7-Robbie Rogers
8-Jose Torres
9-Jozy Altidore
10-Landon Donovan
11-Brek Shea

Like the last match, U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has put the starters in jersey numbers 1-11. He took it one step further and assigned the numbers based on the traditional method of number by position.

Robbie Rogers and Brek Shea are in the starting lineup, the two having combined for the USA's goal in the 1-1 draw against Mexico on Aug. 10 in Philalphia
Jozy Altidore, Timmy Chandler, and Maurice Edu earn their first minutes since Klinsmann took over.

Tonight's reserves: 12-Bill Hamid, 13-Clarence Goodson, 14-Jonathan Spector, 15-Jeff Larentowicz, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 17-Tim Ream, 18-Juan Agudelo

RELATED ARTICLE: Paul Caliguri on Jurgen Klinsmann and Tony Bruce's Report on USA vs Costa Rica International Friendly