Sports Blog: Highlights and Analysis: Costa Rica 3, U.S. 1

The Snowclásico of last March is an indelible memory to some, but a bitter one for others. That sour taste was wiped away, at least a little bit, when Costa Rica defeated the United States, 3-1, in a World Cup qualifying match Friday night in San José. The loss ended the U.S. winning streak at 12 games.

The U.S. team was thrown off balance even before the match started when the team's steady midfielder, Michael Bradley, who had been in the starting lineup, was benched after he sprained his left ankle in pregame warm-ups. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann also decided not to start Jozy Altidore, who had scored in five straight games for the national team but who was also recovering from a sore hamstring.

With Bradley replaced by Geoff Cameron, the U.S. came out flat and quickly found itself on the wrong side of a two-goal deficit. Spurred by a loud capacity crowd at the new Estadio Nacional, Costa Rica was successful lofting the ball over the U.S. defense, putting pressure on goalkeeper Tim Howard. The U.S., however, got a boost before halftime when Fabian Johnson was taken down in the penalty area by Costa Rica's goalkeeper, Keylor Navas. Clint Dempsey buried the penalty kick and the U.S. was in the game.

The American team carried the momentum into the second half, calmly building an attack and controlling the tempo. But then Joel Campbell collected a long clearing pass, held off defender Matt Besler (should Besler have committed a professional foul and taken down Campbell?) and tucked a shot under Howard. Costa Rica, 3-1. End of story.

The United States has never won a qualifier in the Central American country, going 0-8-1 (and having lost the last eight).

Full Time Costa Rica 3, U.S. 1

The U.S. simply could not erase two early goals by the Ticos and extend their winless streak at Costa Rica to eight games.

An impetuous challenge by Altidore results in a yellow card, which means he will also miss Tuesday's match against Mexico. Simply unnecessary.

Matt Besler, another American player who entered the match on a yellow card, gets another on a foul of Campbell. He will also miss the Mexico match.

Against the run of play, Costa Rica sticks a dagger in the confident U.S.

Off Altidore's blocked shot, the long clearance by Cubero sails over the U.S. defense. Besler tries in vain to catch Campbell, who tucks it under Howard. Costa Rica leads, 3-1.

Up until this point, Rodriguez has been nothing short of flawless in his command of the game. He has brooked no nonsense from either team.

71' Klinsmann Goes for It

Altidore replaces Fabian Johnson. The young striker was held out of the starting lineup because of a tender hamstring. Altidore entered the match with a five-game goal-scoring streak.

Geoff Cameron of the U.S. takes a yellow card after a foul on Campbell. As one of eight American players entering the match with one yellow, Cameron will be ineligible to play against Mexico on Tuesday.

55' Dempsey Off the Post

Dempsey controls, pulls the ball back and hits a left-footed shot from the top of the box that beats Navas, but bounds off the far post.

U.S. exerting pressure. First substitute for U.S.: Eddie Johnson replaces Zusi.

Donovan takes fourth corner for U.S., which Gonzalez gets a foot to and jams off a defender.

With Borges off for medical attention, Navas swats away Donovan's corner.

Orozco out? Johannsson in? Neither. Klinsmann sticks with the 11 players who started the game.

Defense had a nightmare in the first 45 minutes, but also consider that the U.S. midfield did little to pressure Costa Rica. How many chips over the U.S. defense? Too many.

It's halftime, and reporters here can get a single hot dog that has corn sprinkled on top, mayo and ketchup packets on the side.

— Andrew Keh (@andrewkeh) 7 Sep 13

Halftime After 45 Minutes … 2-1 Costa Rica

After falling behind, 2-0, in the first 10 minutes of the game, the U.S. escapes and trails only by one goal at halftime thanks to a late Dempsey penalty kick.

How big was Tim Howard's kick save on Campbell to thwart a breakaway and preserve the 2-0 deficit minutes before the penalty?

What, if anything, does Klinsmann change for the second half? Did the momentum begin to shift the U.S. way? We'll be back soon for the final 45 minutes.

Fabian Johnson cut down in the box by goalkeeper Navas, who takes a yellow card, third one of the game for Costa Rica.

Started with a chip from a quick free kick by Zusi, finding Johnson who is chopped down by Navas. Rodriguez points to the spot immediately.

Dempsey sets up, then rests with Rodriguez spies the ball off the spot. Penalty smacks off the leg of Navas and bounds into the net. Costa Rica leads, 2-1.

Slashing run by Bolanos on the right side of the U.S. defense (where else?) ends in what appears to be a penalty as he goes down in the box. But Referee Rodriguez is having none of it and hits Bolanos with a yellow card for diving, or in soccer parlance, simulation.

35' KIck Save by Howard

Another perfect pass over the top of the U.S. defense leads Campbell in alone on Tim Howard. Comes out and makes a kick save to keep the U.S. heart beating.

Fabian Johnson strikes a crossing ball first time with his left foot and Costa Rica keeper Navas sprawls to push it wide for a corner, which is cleared by the defense.

25' Orozco Recovers to Clear

Ruiz finds Bolanos with a chip over Orozco. The defender recovers and clears the shot for a corner. Bolanos's curving corner is punched clear by Howard.

Donovan's first corner cleared for another corner. Gonzalez battling to get free on second corner that is headed clear. Jones steps forward and takes first dangerous shot by U.S. all evening. It sails wide of the near post.

15' Weak on the Right Side

Orozco is being eaten alive on the right side of the U.S. defense. Then again, he is not getting much help. Jermaine Jones has been absent, Graham Zusi, as well. U.S. is not seeing the ball, then not holding it when it does. Precarious situation in the face of a Costa Rica team that came out on fire and has not let up. Why should they?

10' GOAL: Costa Rica, 2-0

After the U.S. gets forward and Dempsey attempts a bicycle kick, for a weak shot on goal, Costa Rica comes back down and scores to go ahead, 2-0.

Bolanos on the left takes his time, looking up before sending a cross into the center where Borges comes forward and plants a header to the far post. U.S. defense shredded.

6' Costa Rica Gets Close

Oviedo's cross from the left finds Campbell between two U.S. defenders, but his off-balance header sails over the bar.

Quick counter by Costa Rica ends with a pass in the area to Ruiz. Appeared to handle the ball, no call. Shot saved in a sprawl by Howard for a corner.

Corner to near post. Acosta gets position in front of Dempsey and scores with his head.

Worst possible start for the U.S.

A test of U.S. depth with Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley sidelined. Only silver lining … both were on yellow cards ahead of Tuesday's match against Mexico.

Expect a frenetic first few minutes in a packed and loud Estadio Nacional.

Pregame Bradley Appears to Be Out

Andrew Keh of The Times and Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated said on Twitter that Michael Bradley is a late scratch, replaced by Geoff Cameron. Sprained left ankle. Ouch. Bradley has emerged as the team's midfield engine.

Pregame Our Man in San Jose

From Andrew Keh of The Times, on site in San Jose. …

There seems to be one dedicated section here for American fans. There are about 30 uniformed cops surrounding it.

— Andrew Keh (@andrewkeh) 7 Sep 13

Pregame … At Right Back

Michael Orozco at right back for the U.S. in his first World Cup qualifier since 10/15/08 vs. Trinidad & Tobago.

Pregame Showing the Flag … the Costa Rican Flag

DaMarcus Beasley's 110th cap ties him for sixth in history national team with Carlos Bocanegra & Paul Caligiuri; start marks Clint Dempsey's 100th cap.

Pemberton, Johnson, Duarte, Diaz, Barrantes, Cubero, Calvo, Castillo, Saborio, Brenes, Nunez

Pregame Costa Rica Starters

Navas; Umana, Acosta, Gonzalez; Oviedo, Borges, Tejeda, Gamboa; Ruiz, Campbell, Bolanos.

Not starting: Alvaro Saborio up front. So far, no reason apparent.

Jozy Alitdore, Kyle Beckerman, Alejandro Bedoya, John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Edgar Castillo, Mix Diskerud, Brad Guzan, Aron Johannsson, Michael Parkhurst, Nick Rimando

Michael Orozco no longer goes officially by Orozco-Fiscal. Wouldn't be allowed to wear full surname in Brazil since it's not on his passport

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) 7 Sep 13

Tim Howard; Michael Orozco, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, DaMarcus Beasley; Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi, Landon Donovan, Fabian Johnson; Clint Dempsey (capt.)

No Jozy Altidore after his bout with hamstring injury. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann keeps Eddie Johnson and Aron Johannsson on the bench to start.

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