U.S. continues poor play with 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in soccer exhibition
Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell scores a goal on United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, center, during the second half of friendly match on Oct. 13.
Tim Howard made his first appearance in goal for the United States in 15 months and was unable to stop the Americans’ slide.
Joel Campbell scored in the 70th minute, and Costa Rica beat the listless U.S., 1-0, in a soccer exhibition Tuesday night in Harrison, N.J.
Three days after a 3-2 loss to Mexico in a playoff for the region’s Confederations Cup berth, the U.S. generated few scoring chances in the latest of a string of dismal performances this year that have led to criticism of Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who sent defender Fabian Johnson home for asking to be substituted late in Saturday’s defeat.
The Americans finished fourth at this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, their poorest performance since 2000, and are a team in transition as they head into the start of World Cup qualifying.
Howard took a one-year sabbatical from the national team after making 15 saves in the 2-1 round-of-16 loss to Belgium at last year’s World Cup. When Howard returned last month, Klinsmann installed him as his No. 2 behind Brad Guzan. Howard sat on the bench for a pair of September exhibitions and for Saturday’s extra-time defeat at the Rose Bowl.
Before a crowd of just 9,214 in almost two-thirds empty Red Bulls Arena, the Americans struggled defensively after second-half substitutions.
