Written by Ryan Rosenblatt at FoxSports.com
On Thursday, Jurgen Klinsmann presided over arguably the United States’ worst loss of the modern era. By Friday, he may not have a job and, frankly, he shouldn’t. There is no reasonable case to be made anymore that Klinsmann should continue as the U.S. manager.
There are some results that cannot be overcome and losing 4-0 to Costa Rica is one of them. It was the Americans’ worst shutout loss in World Cup qualifying since 1957 and the Ticos could have easily scored more. Worst of all, it was the team’s second straight loss to open the final round of qualifying, following their defeat to Mexico for their first home qualifying loss in 15 years, and now the Americans’ World Cup hopes are in serious peril.
“This is definitely a moment to reflect about what happened the last 10 days and probably open up a lot of discussions with the players, with the team,” Klinsmann said after the match.
The problem is that’s an attitude the U.S. should have had after embarrassingly going out of the Gold Cup in the semifinals last year. And after being beaten by Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup three months later. And after losing to Guatemala in March for the first time since 1988.
This isn’t one atrocious match for the Americans. Klinsmann has presided over more than a year of historic losses. Costa Rica was just the most stark and, unquestionably, most damaging.
Going out of the Gold Cup, failing to qualify for the Confederations Cup or being embarrassed by a minnow are all problematic, but none of that compares to missing out on the World Cup and that is a reality the U.S. have to start facing because they are dead last in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
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