USMNT Must Assure Themselves of a Point Against Costa Rica in Crucial Hex Match

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: November 14, 2016

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History is not on the side of the United States men's national team as they prepare for their second game of the Hexagonal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, against Costa Rica on Tuesday. 

The Yanks are one of three teams sitting on zero points after their loss to Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday. A second consecutive loss to a fellow power in CONCACAF would put the USMNT in dire straits with eight matches remaining.

In the five previous World Cup qualifying cycles, no team has advanced directly to the World Cup from the CONCACAF region after losing their first two matches in the Hex. Trinidad and Tobago opened with two losses during qualification for the 2006 World Cup and earned a spot in the field of 32 with a win in the continental playoff. 

Three squads have secured a spot at the World Cup after earning one point from two games, but only one of the three failed to pick up points in their opener. Honduras started the Hex with a loss and a draw before making the 2010 World Cup.

Tuesday's match in San Jose, Costa Rica, isn't necessarily a must-win for the Yanks, but it's imperative they find a way to earn a point against the Ticos in order to create a little bit of momentum heading into 2017.



But earning a point at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica will be no easy task against a side that pulled off an away win over Trinidad and Tobago on Friday. 

Manager Jurgen Klinsmann can't align his side in a formation that is doomed from the start, like the 3-4-3 he trotted out against Mexico in Ohio. The Yanks must be tactically astute from the opening whistle, and they must find a way to break down Costa Rica's rock-solid five-man back line. 

The Yanks have the assets available to penetrate the Ticos defense, but their game plan must be on point in order to keep the home side off the board. 

Before you can even start thin...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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