USMNT Watch: Friday Brings Mixed Results for Program, McNamara's Stock Rises
The first of two important days on the calendar in March for the United States men's national team program delivered a mixed bag of results.
The USMNT U23 team left Colombia with a draw in the Olympic playoff, and the senior team fell to Guatemala on the road in one of their worst performances under manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
Outside of the international matches, a few Americans attempted to boost their stock with strong matches in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
We'll have all that and more below in our weekly USMNT Watch.
USMNT Suffer Brutal Defeat in Guatemala
Klinsmann's men left the Estadio Mateo Flores in disbelief of the 90-minute showing they put together.
The 2-0 loss suffered by the Yanks ended a 21-game winning streak against Guatemala and made Tuesday's contest at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, a must-win.
Although most of the play on the pitch was forgettable for the USMNT, Bobby Wood and Darlington Nagbe impressed in the final third.
If Klinsmann wants to create some positive momentum ahead of the Copa America Centenario, which is just over two months away, he should start as many creative attackers as possible on home soil on Tuesday night.
U23s Put in Resilient Performance in Colombia
Andreas Herzog's U23 squad pieced together a resilient performance in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Friday afternoon.
The Yanks left the first leg of the series with a key away goal from the 1-1 draw in which Colombia dominated the pace of play.
Center-backs Matt Miazga and Tim Parker were two of the standout players in the opening match of the Olympic playoff.
The U23s need the same type of effort on Tuesday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to put themselves into the 16-team field in Rio de Janeiro in August.
Thomas McNamara Scores for NYCFC During Light MLS Slate
One name to keep an eye on as the MLS season progresses is New York City FC midfielder Thomas McNamara.
The former Chivas USA man netted his second strike of the early season in NYCFC's 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution on Saturday. If he continues to impress under Patrick Vieira, McNamara could get a look after the Copa America Centenario.
Juan Agudelo started the contest at Yankee Stadium for the Revolution and was replaced by Charlie Davies in the 57th minute.
Matt Hedges helped FC Dallas earn a clean sheet at RFK Stadium on Saturday. Oscar Pareja's side left Washington, D.C., with a 3-0 win.
DaMarcus Beasley and Will Bruin both started for the Houston Dynamo in their 1-0 loss to Vancouver at BC Place.
Joe Tansey covers U.S. Soccer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @JTansey90.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
