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Will Costa Rica mean curtains for Jurgen Klinsmann with USMNT?

By Sean Maslin

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - NOVEMBER 17: USA's coach Juergen Klinsmann listens intently during a post match press conference after the World Cup Qualifier between Trinidad and Tobago and USA as part of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Russia 2018 at Hasely Crawford Stadium on November 17, 2015 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen Getty Images)
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - NOVEMBER 17: USA's coach Juergen Klinsmann listens intently during a post match press conference after the World Cup Qualifier between Trinidad and Tobago and USA as part of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Russia 2018 at Hasely Crawford Stadium on November 17, 2015 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen Getty Images) /
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The United States will host Costa Rica on Tuesday in a must-win match for both sides.

United States Men’s National Team supporters are used to dilemmas but Tuesday nights might be the most perplexing. After another disappointing performance on Friday night against Colombia, the USMNT find themselves in a situation where they cannot drop three points against Costa Rica. The trade-off is that a victory may prolong the career of coach Jurgen Klinsmann, long a thorn in many USMNT supporters sides.

Now, to be fair, not everything was Klinsmann’s fault from Friday. Colombia is one of the top sides in the world and possess roster depth that USMNT supporters dream.

There really is no shame losing to the likes of James Rodriguez, Carlos Bacca, and Cristian Zapata. Colombia is no minnow and judging by Friday’s match can be placed under the column of teams that care about the Copa America Centenario.

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Also the United States did not exactly look that bad against Colombia. In limited time Darlington Nagbe and Cristian Pulisic showed that they can play against strong, defensive sides and that they can work together. Despite the handball, DeAndre Yedlin also had a fairly good match as well although given the miscue perhaps his performance is meaningless.

That being said, a pattern seems to be developing around the USMNT and it is mostly focused around disorganization. Despite being a man who comes from a German system where organization is tantamount to success, Klinsmann is anything but. The consistent switching of lineups and players has caused havoc for the USMNT. It is difficult to achieve basic results when one does not who will be playing on everyday basis.

This is perhaps nowhere more apparent than at center-back. Geoff Cameron and John Anthony Brooks on Friday joined a long list of players of center-back combinations to take the field for the USMNT during the Klinsmann tenure.

Although the two have played with one another on the pitch before this was their first time together in the center-back position. As opposed to most other positions where communication is a bonus, it is very important that center-backs know one another and their respective habits. At times Brooks and Cameron would double up on attackers against Colombia which would turn open space for someone to slip behind them.

Now part of that should be blamed on the defenders. Klinsmann cannot jump on the pitch and make them play in position. But why was Klinsmann playing two players who have minimal experience working with one another in a match against one of the best teams in the world?

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That Klinsmann would also blame the media for placing expectations on this side is a bit puzzling. After the match Klinsmann said, “I think (the media) put the benchmark on the results but I think playing these guys and holding our end with the quality they have, we were absolutely even.”

The media may at times bluster about USMNT performances and place an exorbitant amount of expectation on meaningless. But so does Klinsmann. Since he took over as coach of the USMNT Klinsmann has placed numerous great expectations on his side. While it is certainly his right as a coach to do that (a rallying cry of “Let’s finish fourth!” doesn’t sound that strong) calling the media out on their bombastic expectations when he has been on record coming up with the same expectations is a tad hypocritical.

Bluster and expectations aside what matters most is Costa Rica on Tuesday. Facing a side that under-performed against Paraguay on Saturday the USMNT  will be facing an old foe still looking to get revenge on the infamous snow match that cost them three points during World Cup Qualification. During that match, Klinsmann and the USMNT pulled together a gutsy performance that kept their World Cup hopes alive and cooled the German’s hot seat.

Can Klinsmann do it again? Will USMNT supporters at Soldier Field half cheer for each goal, knowing well that it gives them a win but preserves an administration that has worn out its welcome?

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