US @ Costa Rica LIVE

I know most of you can watch, but there may be folks stuck at work and, well... let's just have some fun anyway. I will stick to the larger events and any amusing remark I can come up with at 4 AM in the morning.

Here is your U.S. line-up, which is very surprising on a few levels:

Howard; Wynne, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Beasley, Mastroeni, Bradley, Torres, Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore

My initial thought was concern over seeing DaMarcus Beasley, who has hardly played since his last USMNT outing, once again at left back. I am worried this will backfire in this particular match.

However, I'd feel funny fussing too much because, ladies and gentleman, what we appear to have on the card tonight is a real life, genuine 4-3-3 set not seen since Bob Bradley's very first match in charge.

If you recall back to January 2007, a halftime switch to the formation saw Jonathan Bornstein and Kenny Cooper net their first international goals to spark a 3-1 win over Denmark's in a battle of "B+" sides in Los Angeles.

I'm a bit stunned to see us break it out at Saprissa, but I also think the fun quotient for tonight's key World Cup qualifier just rose 16.8%. This is a very aggressive maneuver by the coach, who I have often blasted for playing things too safe. If it goes wrong, he could be unfairly vilified; let's face it, this contest will always be an upset trap regardless of tactics.

While this may not have been my first choice for the time to make the switch, I also may be the last person allowed to quibble seeing as how I've been arguing in print since 2002 that, based on our talent pool, Total Football is the best way to success for the U.S. Men's National Team.

As it pertains to tonight, we have a pair of speedy raiders at the fullback positions, a destroyer/traffic director/playmaker dynamic in midfield and three movable parts that could pop up anywhere along the front line.

Honestly, I can't recall the last time I was this fired up for a 'Nats game. This actually is topping Mexico's recent WCQ visit on my excitement meter.

Back in about 40 with the kickoff...

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My goodness, I love Mexican announcers sometimes. First, they expressed concern that the U.S. would be without Frankie Hejduk, then they called Torres "el gringo".

1'

Game on...

3'

1-0 Costa Rica. The trouble started on the U.S. left. Saborio splits two and curls a left-footed beauty past Howard. Urgh,

13'

It's a fast-paced game thus far, albeit one with some sloppiness. Just as the USMNT starts to find the right spacing and move the ball, Costa Rica hits on the counter, Ruiz breaking loose to tee up Borges for an easy lash. 2-0 Costa Rica.

22'

The U.S. are a bit too frantic on the ball and too hasty in attack. They have clearly not settled into the game. It seems that asking Beasley to play left back tonight may have been too much. I also have to question the decision to make Donovan the cnetral forward - Jozy is the #9, Landon the playmaker.

27'

We've seen glimpses of what the U.S. could accomplish in a 4-3-3, but the touches are just not consistently crisp.

39'

U.S. ball movement is better to a point, but there is still nothing in the way of real chances and they still look shaky at the back.

HALFTIME

It's all been a bit exasperating so far, hasn't it? Touches are poor, passes are too risky when space to work is available and too slow to come when under pressure. And when the turnover comes, there are missed assignments all over the transition defense.

Guys... just because the formation is exotic, that doesn't mean your actions should be. Play the simple pass and move, there's no need to rush the attack. It would also help if the few restarts we're earning would come with a useful serve. Put Jozy at the #9 where he belongs and tell the players to relax, coach.

46'

Kljestan is on for Torres as we switch to the familiar 4-4-2 bucket.

62'

Adu is on for a nicked Mastroeni. Time to play offense.

65'

A rash of chase in circles defending finally ends with Herrera rolling one into the net. Howard, I think, would have normally stopped that. 3-0 Costa Rica... again.

80'

Davies is on for Dempsey, and we seem to be back in the 4-3-3.

90+ 2

As four minutes of added time roll, Onyewu is bowled over in the area on a long throw from the corner. Donovan spots it and bags it easily. The U.S. have it back to 3-1.

FULL TIME 3-0 Costa Rica

My player ratings will not be kind tomorrow. I could lodge a great many complaints right now, but the sun is up already and I need some sleep. I can't imagine any dream I'd have would be as harrowing as that game.


The goals...




- Greg Seltzer