USMNT: 6 Takeaways From USA v. Colombia

Jul 1, 2014; Salvador, BRAZIL; United States defender DaMarcus Beasley (7) sits on the field by himself as he reacts following the game against Belgium during the round of sixteen match in the 2014 World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova. Belgium defeated USA 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Going into today, I predicted USA losing 3-2 after scoring early.  Well, I wasn’t that far off.  The Stars And Stripes netted early thanks to a Jozy Altidore PK (Also called that) only to fall behind after conceding two 2nd half goals in a Yellowed-out Craven Cottage.  While friendlies do not matter, they do prove a good way to gauge and self-reflect, something I guarantee Jurgen Klinsmann is going to be doing a lot of in the coming weeks

Roster changes are almost a guarantee in the time between now and whenever the USA decide to play next.  Tactics are going to change as well.  Players are going to move positions, and we could be seeing even more new faces while possibly bidding a permanent farewell to some familiar, perhaps beloved, faces.  Somewhere in the depths of this National Team, there is some faulty wiring that is making it difficult for Klinsmann to get to his team, whether it is tactical or motivational.  So expect some new, possibly extreme, strategies in the coming months as we try to make up for lost ground in the race to become the World’s next great footballing nation.

While he does his reflecting, here are six things that he should be thinking about before the Gold Cup in 2015, both good and bad.