The United States hadn’t lost in 14 matches since November. Then Costa Rica put a New Jersey beat down on the Yanks at Red Bull Arena, winning 2-0 in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Friday evening.
Costa Rica pressed, harassed and fought its way to a deserved win that all but assures Los Ticos a spot in next summer’s World Cup. The USMNT played like they did when they got Jurgen Klinsmann fired in November.
The highlight of the show was the “Star Cam” ESPN broadcast on ESPN3/WatchESPN/TheOcho. The camera focused on 18-year-old wunderkind Christian Pulisic until Bruce Arena brought Clint Dempsey onto the pitch. It showed the two star attackers try in vain to break down Costa Rica’s defense. It didn’t show the U.S. give up two goals after poor distribution from the back.
In case you didn’t watch the Pulisic Cam — perhaps you were too busy actually watching the match or throwing your adult beverage at the TV — here’s what you missed.
Pulisic one-times a pass 25 feet into the air to no one in particular
Pulisic goes up for a header he’s never going to win
Pulisic plays some average defense
Pulisic dribbles by defenders before he gets fouled
Pulisic strolls around while the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch
Pulisic draws a yellow card from David Guzman
Pulisic beautifully brings a cross down with his chest only to fire an awkward shot/cross over the bar
Pulisic makes an astute run not picked up by Darlington Nagbe
Pulisic doesn’t go for a ball in the air in the box, letting it drop to a defender
Pulisic plays a great ball into Jozy Altidore, who is roughed up but not fouled in the eyes of the referee
Pulisic left-foots a shot into row Z
Pulisic is dwarfed by two defenders as he tries to make himself available in the six-yard box
Pulisic walks around near midfield as Bryan Ruiz feeds Marcos Ureña, who goes on a solo run to score the opener for Costa Rica
Pulisic has a shot snuffed after a brilliant build up and cross from Altidore
Pulisic gets clipped by Francisco Calvo
Pulisic slowly walks off the pitch at halftime after a poor first-half display from the Americans
The camera pans to random people looking at their phones instead of talking to their friends in the crowd with Pulisic in the locker room
Pulisic glowers as the ref takes his sweet time getting the second half started
Pulisic takes a forearm to the chest as he tries to get in position for a free kick
Pulisic chats with Bobby Wood about where to line up once Clint Dempsey finally comes on the pitch in the 65th minute
The Star Cam immediately switches to Clint Dempsey as soon as he comes onto the pitch
Pulisic’s deflected shot gets pawed away by incredible reflexes from Keylor Navas
This is unbelievable from Keylor Navas. (:@UnivisionSports) pic.twitter.com/6qHOeR7bzl
— LuisMiguelEchegaray (@lmechegaray) September 2, 2017
Dempsey runs around in vain as the New Jersey crowd shouts “Olé” in favor of the Costa Ricans
Dempsey watches Altidore pick up an unnecessary yellow card, which will see the forward suspended for Tuesday’s match against Honduras
Dempsey waits for a ball to bounce back to him after Altidore fails to do anything with the best U.S. chance of the match
Dempsey trots around as the U.S. shoots itself in the foot again and allows Ureña to score a second
¡¡Goooooooool de COSTA RICA!! Marcos Ureña pone su segundo de la noche y esto parece estar definido. #ChekeandoAlRival pic.twitter.com/Xux69QdrEu
— Cable Onda Sports (@cableondasports) September 2, 2017
Pulisic beats a defender and sprints into open field only to get the ball caught in his feet to end the attack
Dempsey earns a yellow card for shoving a Costa Rican player after he fired over the bar moments earlier
Dempsey dribbles neatly into the box only to run out of space and ideas
Dempsey and Pulisic drop their heads at the final whistle as Costa Rica scored a merited 2-0 victory over the United States
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