As should be expected, there is not a happy report card in sight following the US national team's calamitous 4-0 loss away to CONCACAF World Cup qualifying hosts Costa Rica.
The Nats have had many bad nights in the land of the Ticos, but this one ranks near the bottom of the list. The visitors failed to threaten often enough and a horror show from John Brooks at the defensive end doomed them to an embarrassing defeat.
Brad Guzan (5.5) - The Middlesbrough netminder began like a breakfast EMT; he definitely saved some bacon early. Eventually, he conceded two goals that were tough to stop yet within reach and two hung-out-to-dry breakaway strikes.
Timothy Chandler (4.5) - The Eintracht Frankfurt right back was caught up more times than he offered something of value going forward. Chandler was then highly culpable when he lost the back post runner on Costa Rica's second.
Omar Gonzalez (4.5) - The Pachuca defender made a couple of strong interventions at the US area, but his night will mostly be remembered for taking his sweet time to close down the crosser on the opening goal. Gonzalez also kept Joel Campbell onside on the home side's last strike.
John Brooks (1) - Though the Hertha Berlin was bailed out by Guzan in the 18th minute, his flub would stand as a bad omen. To put it mildly, this was a nightmare showing for Brooks. He was to blame on all four Ticos' goals, and in varying ways. He lost an aerial mark, mishandled, was nutmegged – you name it, he suffered it.
Matt Besler (4.5) - Though he was only at fault on one goal (thanks to an ill-advised rush out of position), this episode was symbolic of his night. Besler routinely left space to cover behind him, and certainly didn't contribute enough on the ball to counter-balance the problem.
Michael Bradley (5) - The skipper was decent enough defensively for about an hour, but we are simply accustomed to him doing more to control tempo and ably feed the attackers. That was largely missing on this night.
Jermaine Jones (4.5) - Typically, there are a number of plays (positive, negative, crazy and otherwise) to discuss after a Jones display. Sure, he drew a highly unnecessary card, but this was about as nondescript as his outings get. As with Bradley, much more is needed from him in the big games – at least in the way of fire, if nothing else.
Fabian Johnson (4.5) - The Borussia Monchengladbach ace endured one of his least productive wing performances ever in a US shirt. He was nearly invisible, truth be told.
Christian Pulisic (5.5) - The Borussia Dortmund youngster took a couple runs toward the Ticos box and fired in a dangerous cross, but he needed to see much more of the ball to have any real effect.
Bobby Wood (5) - See above, then add in some blown hold-up touches.
Jozy Altidore (5) - Every time Altidore started to get his motor revved, Costa Rica would tug him back. He never adjusted.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (4.5) - The boss was less overtly to blame tactically than against Mexico, but that's faint praise after a miserable start to the Hexagonal. He should have a clear idea on how to get the best out of his group by now, but he is forever searching and this can't help but have a negative effect. Honestly, this game should have been set up for a happy surprise; he wanted an "angry" USMNT, but we got dreariness instead.
Subs:
Lynden Gooch (6) - The Sunderland midfielder tried to spark the visitors, but one nice diagonal ball summed up his highlight reel for the night.
Graham Zusi (6) - The Sporting KC came on late to help move the ball around, but the damage had long been done.
