A series of observations from the United States' dreadful 3-1 deprivation to Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday.
LASTING IMAGE ON COSTA RICA'S FIRST GOAL: Pablo not universally known the tackle and falling down.
LASTING IMAGE ON COSTA RICA'S FOLLOWING GOAL: Onyewu just kind of stopping on the play.
LASTING IMAGE ON COSTA RICA'S THIRD GOAL: Bocanegra searching like an orange cone.
SPEAKING OF IMAGES: Wonderful 10-second camera shot of Donovan and Pablo arguing about strategy for the reason that dismal first half wound to a close.
EVEN THE COSTA RICAN FANS KNOW: When the U. S. defenders would panic and clear the ball outside bounds, rather than finding a teammate to pass to be able to, the home fans would whistle and hoot in joy. Those jeers should be better motivation than any yelling that will any coach could do.
AND IN THE 59TH TINY Pablo heard those jeers for that terrible opportunity he took from distance. Oh, what a night.
TACTICAL PROBLEM: Why would Costa Rica tip its hand on that deceptive free begin working the 89th minute? It was clever and effective. It prompted an excellent save from Tim Howard. But why would they trot that play out in a game they were leading 3-0? Surely all of CONCACAF ended up being watching? Now it won't be a surprise during others in the industry of qualifying. It was a mistake by Costa Rica in a
NFL Wholesale Jerseys match in which the Ticos made few faults. The Costa Rican bag of tricks just got a bit lighter.
GOOD ADVICE: In the 34th minute, Harkes complimented Onyewu for a good decision he made: Gooch looked like he was going to stroke a long ball up the field to the forwards, but he stopped and tapped forward to Bradley, who began a slow surge. "Don't force
Wholesale Jerseys free shipping. I thought he was going to clip that forward," Harkes said. "You need that one extra, two extra p. to keep it moving, break pressure." Spot-on, Harkesie. Spot-on, Gooch.
I REALLY LIKE HARKESIE but doesn't it seem like he's zero fan of Pablo?
I ALSO LIKE MARVELL WYNNE: I do believe he's the long-term answer at right back. And having Wynne play in games this way, even though he didn't have the greatest night, gives him valuable experience.
UGH: That wee, yellow NBA championship trophy from the lower, right corner of
best wholesale nfl jerseysthe screen bugged the hell out of me. I don't care when the NBA finals start. I'm watching this game. And don't interrupt the match to tell me somebody called Nate McLouth was traded to the Braves.
ER, UM, I IMPLY, THANK YOU, ESPN! At least the cable network exhibits soccer. Right?
SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING POSITIVE: I liked the Americans' gray socks!
UP NEXT: The Nats host Honduras on Saturday night then top South Africa for the
wholesale jerseys from china Confederations Cup. First game June 15. U.S. in same group with Brazil, Italy and Egypt.
HALFTIME SWITCH: The referee changed from the hot-pink number, which clashed with Costa Rica's red products, to a gray shirt.
AMERICAN MAN OF THE MATCH UP: I thought Michael Bradley worked harder than anyone on the field. Tried harder. Looked better.