All of a Sudden, U.S. Is in a Cloudy Situation

By GRAHAME L. JONES

Sept. 5, 2001 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica —

It was early afternoon Tuesday when dark clouds rolled in over this subtropical city and thunder began to rumble amid the peaks of the nearby mountains. The wind freshened and rain soon followed.

A few hours later, near sunset, the charter flight carrying the U.S. national soccer team dropped out of the clouds, the players and coaches no doubt gazing out the windows and searching for the proverbial silver lining.

It might be a futile search.

These are unexpectedly difficult days for the U.S. team, and things are not likely to get easier anytime soon.

Consecutive losses to Mexico and Honduras, with the distinct prospect of a third setback against Costa Rica tonight, suddenly have raised serious doubts about the team’s participation in next year’s World Cup.

A sure thing has become a probable thing, perhaps en route to an iffy thing.

If the Americans lose tonight--and they never have defeated Costa Rica in qualifying play at “the monster’s cave,” otherwise known as Estadio Saprissa--and other results go as expected, the U.S. could be in fourth place by midnight.

Only the top three teams in the six-nation North and Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region will advance to Korea/Japan 2002. The U.S. probably will make it, but it’s no longer a lock.

Such pessimism would have been unthinkable only a few weeks ago after the Americans got off to a 4-0-1 start in qualifying play. But a 1-0 loss to Mexico at Mexico City on July 1 and a 3-2 loss to Honduras at Washington on Saturday have muddied the waters.

“We’ll be fine,” said U.S. Coach Bruce Arena. “I really believe we played a pretty good game [against Honduras]. This is not an easy ride, any of this stuff.”

Five teams remain in contention for three spots. Costa Rica shut out Trinidad and Tobago, 2-0, on Saturday and mathematically eliminated it from contention. The only role it can play in its remaining three games is that of spoiler.

Trinidad and Tobago plays Mexico at Mexico City tonight and is expected to be soundly defeated. That would move Mexico into a tie with the United States at 13 points and ahead of it on goal differential, assuming the Americans lose.

Third-place Honduras also can overtake the second-place U.S. team if it wins at home against Jamaica tonight. That would give it 14 points, one more than the U.S., again assuming the Americans lose.

But will they lose?

Saturday’s defeat at RFK Stadium exposed several weaknesses in the U.S. team, most noticeably its inability to defend against counterattacking teams that use speed, quickness and ball movement on the break.

The Hondurans did exactly that and the first-place Costa Ricans have the ability to do the same.

“They’re pretty similar to Honduras; their strengths and weaknesses are pretty similar,” Arena said.

Given that, it is likely that Arena is going to make changes in his defense, and possibly in midfield too.

Brad Friedel started in goal against Honduras and could not be faulted for any of the three goals. He probably will stay in the nets.

But left back David Regis probably will lose his starting position. Arena did not hesitate to single him out after Saturday’s loss.

“Without being critical of any particular player, I do think that Regis broke down on a bunch of plays,” he said. “I’ll look at the [video]tape, but he probably had some breakdowns that led to every goal. That needs to be addressed.”

Arena could slide Jeff Agoos left into Regis’ position and bring Carlos Llamosa on in central defense. There also is the possibility that Gregg Berhalter could start in place of Eddie Pope in the other central defensive position, and that Tony Sanneh might take Steve Cherundolo’s place at right back.

If Sanneh, who was as much to blame Saturday as Regis, is moved from midfield to right back, it would open the door for Arena to start Richie Williams as a defensive midfielder alongside Chris Armas.

Such a heavily defensive lineup would be in accord with the belief that Arena is going to play for a point and pray for three. In other words, seek a tie and hope for a victory.

Against Honduras, Landon Donovan, Jovan Kirovski and Cobi Jones were the three starting forwards, playing in front of attacking midfielder Earnie Stewart. Chances are all four will start again, although Joe-Max Moore might get the nod ahead of Kirovski.

Donovan, 19, held his own in his qualifying debut. “He was the least of our worries,” Arena said.

On Sunday, Arena told the Washington Post that there was something to salvage from the loss to Honduras the day before.

“One thing I’m thankful for is that we didn’t lose, 4-1, and blow our goal differential,” he said. “We were close to it. But give our guys credit. They never quit. They were running around like a bunch of idiots, but they didn’t quit. Idiots with a heart.”

It was hardly the sort of ringing endorsement the players needed going into tonight’s game.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Tonight’s Game

What: CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

Who: U.S. vs. Costa Rica.

When: Tonight, 7 p.m., ESPN2.

Where: At San Jose, Costa Rica.

Each team has three games to play, starting today. Only the top three teams advance to Korea/Japan 2002.

Remaining games

Today

U.S. at Costa Rica

Jamaica at Honduras