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Jones, Nguyen Feature for USA in 1-0 Loss to Costa Rica

The two Revolution midfielders both played their part as the USMNT struggles continue with a 1-0 loss against Los Ticos.

By Jake Catanese
Adam Hunger/Getty Images

The United States lost a friendly to Costa Rica 1-0 just three days after an extra time loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup.

Only Jozy Altidore, Gyasi Zardes, Jermaine Jones and Geoff Cameron remained in the starting lineup and three of the four were subbed at halftime. Veterans Tim Ream, Brad Evans and Michael Orozco made up the rest of the backline while Brek Shea and DeAndre Yedlin started on the wings.

Jones started in the central midfield along side Bundesliga veteran Danny Williams but the pair lacked the ability to possess the ball and move the US attack up the field. In the 37th minute following a US turnover, Jones committed a tactical foul earning himself a yellow card and then voiced his displeasure with right back Brad Evans over the play. Jones was subbed out at halftime for Mix Diskerud.

The NYCFC midfielder however was no better as the lackluster US continued to have issues in possession. It took Diskerud almost 15 minutes to get his first touch of the game, not something you want out of a possible #10 midfielder. Midway though the second half, Arsenal attacker Joel Campbell slotted home the opening and game winning goal for Costa Rica on a cut back pass from David Myrie.

Lee Nguyen and debutante Andrew Wooten would enter soon after with the US trailing 1-0 but could do little to turn the tides for the Americans. Nguyen was lined up wide left after coming on for Brek Shea and had a moment around the 80th minute that was a positive moment individually.

Nguyen was fouled at the top of the box, but the referee (strangely) opted to allow play to continue for a moment and Nguyen from his backside was able to keep the play alive. Obviously the US would've preferred the set piece in that situation but given the lack of attacking play in this one overall, anything that resembled creativity is worth mentioning.

The US' best attacking chance came in the first half from center back Tim Ream as he forced a header towards the near post of the Costa Rican goal, forcing a save out of Kaylor Navas. DeAndre Yedlin would have a half chance in each half, a bungled volley in the first and looping header in the second, that didn't trouble Navas in goal.

For the entire game, the USA only managed a total of 4 shots (3 on target) compared to 15 total (5 on target) for Costa Rica who were unlucky to not have scored more. Brad Evans made two crucial blocks including one off the line and striker Marco Urena missed on open chance from about 10 yards out.

Overall, it's a forgettable week for the United States as they accomplished a new low in the modern era:

The United States begins its World Cup qualifying campaign in November against St. Vincent's in St. Louis followed by an away match in Trinidad and Tobago.

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