Loss to Mexico punctuates a rough year for US soccer

Mexico set the US on their heels in the tenth minute of the match, pulling the defense out of shape and mounting a 2v1 break on Guzan. The USA had won three times and three games ended in a tie since Mexico overcame an early two-goal deficit to rally for a 4-2 victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on June 25, 2011 at the Rose Bowl, the most recent time the U.S. Mexico in the Los Angeles before today.

Jurgen Klinsmann has taught us all something very valuable: we have to fire Jurgen Klinsmann.

“It takes a couple of days to swallow, but I told the guys: “Heads up because you gave it everything you had”. I’m not here to be liked. “I’m trying to do a good job, and privileged to have that role and represent the US soccer program”.

U.S. Soccer needed an overhaul in its development, and the German machine combined with American athleticism sure seemed like the right way to go.

“So I do my best… and leave the judgement out there for… people who want to express themselves”.

It’s the only way to really show Klinsmann, and ourselves, that we understand how to apply pressure and hold the manager and technical staff accountable for failure.

Saturday was a double downer for the United States: A few hours earlier, the under-23 team lost 2-0 to Honduras, putting the American men in danger of failing to qualify for its second consecutive Olympics. The youngsters must beat Canada on Tuesday and then win a playoff with Colombia just to make the Rio field. Mexico earned 63% of the possession and took 23 shots to the U.S.’s 14.

The next 25 minutes was more of the same, as the US sat back and was content to get forward on the counter to limited success.

The thrilling loss on a memorable Southern California night exemplified several deficiencies. America was outclassed by Mexico, which has been the historical norm, but that was supposed to have changed in the last decade.

The U.S. created the better of the chances thereafter, Jozy Altidore scooping a shot over the bar from close range on 40 minutes, before Bradley forced a scrambled Munoz save from a free-kick shortly before halftime.

At the root of the American soccer problem is Klinsmann as a head coach.

“Still hard to take”, Bradley said after the defeat.

When Oribe Peralta and Brad Guzan collided, tempers boiled over. “So over the course of the game, that means that they’re able to pin us back”. The United States will start World Cup Qualifying on November 13th against St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a match which should feature Sounders on both sides of the contest.

But this is a team that could have beaten the Netherlands in the World Cup past year, were it not for nefarious officiating. Getting a chance to play in the World Cup stadium, stay in the hotels and get used to the host nation are advantages USA captain Michael Bradley noted as motivation to play in the Confederations Cup. Throughout the game, they were more dynamic and impressive, and the USMNT played in a reactive, defensive shell.