USA vs. Costa Rica: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 Friendly

Just three days removed from a 3-2 loss to Mexico with a 2017 Confederations Cup berth on the line, the United States men's national soccer team was back in action Tuesday night in Harrison, New Jersey, with a chance to bounce back against Costa Rica.  

However, redemption proved elusive as Joel Campbell slotted home a go-ahead goal with his left foot in the 70th minute to give Costa Rica a 1-0 victory over the Red, White and Blue. The goal was Campbell's first for Costa Rica since the 2014 World Cup, according to the ESPN broadcast. 

With Tuesday's friendly loss in the books, the United States has entered some futile territory, per BigAppleSoccer.com's Michael Lewis:

Costa Rica was the more composed side throughout the contest despite losing the possession battle in the first half, as the United States failed time and again to establish a metronomic rhythm. 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Doug Roberson contrasted the performances of the two sides: 

Following Saturday's loss to Mexico, USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann made wholesale changes to his side's roster composition. Nine of the squad's more seasoned members were sent back to their clubs as a way to free up playing time for younger, less proven players, such as Bobby Wood and DeAndre Yedlin. 

Klinsmann explained the decision to reporters prior to Tuesday's friendly, per ESPN.com's Doug McIntyre:

"

Obviously it is the last chance to see a couple of guys that are kind of on the surface there and want to break in. We have to give opportunities to younger players, because only if they get opportunities they can grow. If we keep the door closed, we're not growing. And we urgently need younger players.

"

But despite receiving extended playing time, the United States' fresh legs couldn't inject much energy or build substantive momentum in advance of 2018 World Cup qualifying.    

The U.S. controlled possession early, but careless giveaways offered up counter-attacking chances for a feisty Costa Rican side. That said, none of those Costa Rican sprints toward goal resulted in any real danger, and the U.S. continued to make the opposition defend at high rates over the first 25 minutes or so. 

Roberson made a telling observation that summed up the United States' first-half form: 

The U.S. owned 57 percent possession in the first frame, but Costa Rica outshot the Red, White and Blue, 5-3, as Klinsmann's defense repeatedly opened up lanes for Costa Rica to threaten.  

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl made note of the United States' offensive failures following the game's first 45 minutes:

Chances were few and far between for the the Americans, but defensive breakdowns proved to be their undoing. 

If there was a bright spot for the United States, though, it was the play of Tim Howard. Back in net after Brad Guzan functioned as the team's starting goalkeeper throughout Gold Cup play, Howard displayed poise and did well to limit Costa Rica to just one goal considering how porous the U.S. defense was. 

With the loss, Klinsmann's squad has now lost three straight games dating back to a Sept. 8 friendly defeat at the hands of Brazil. According to ESPN's Paul Carr, this is the first time the U.S. has lost three straight home games since 1997. 

The pressure is now officially on the United States as it gets ready for the start of World Cup qualifying on Nov. 13. Klinsmann has plenty of questions to answer regarding his team's form and confidence, and the squad will need to respond with a convincing win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in one month's time. 

Postgame Reaction

According to Soccer By Ives' Ives Galarcep, Klinsmann cited a hangover from Saturday's loss as a primary reason for Tuesday's letdown:

American Soccer Now's Brian Sciaretta noted that Klinsmann's aware of criticisms regarding the United States' play over the past few months:

However, Klinsmann reiterated to reporters that he doesn't plan on stepping down, per Wahl: 

Ultimately, the U.S. boss was able to offer a reason for optimism before departing the podium: