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May 14 '19
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- Wave after wave of opponents kept overwhelming beleaguered and befuddled Americans. Wholesale Shoes China .Only these players were Costa Ricans in red jerseys, not Brazilians in yellow or Italians in blue.With one of its worst performances in decades, the United States put itself in a deep -- but not insurmountable -- hole in World Cup qualifying.Theres going to need to be some urgency, U.S. captain Michael Bradley said after Tuesday nights 4-0 wipeout. Were going to have to look collectively real hard in the mirror at ourselves and understand its not been a good start. But the reality of this hexagonal format is that nothing is lost yet, not even close. So anybody who thinks that is sorely mistaken.Johan Venegas scored in the 44th minute, Cristian Bolanos doubled the lead in the 68th and second-half substitute Joel Campbell beat beleaguered goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 74th and 78th minutes.The U.S., which dropped to 0-2 in the final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region for the first time, had not lost a qualifier by four goals since a 5-1 defeat at Mexico in November 1980 and had not dropped a shutout loss in a qualifier by that margin since a 6-0 rout at Mexico in April 1957.Central defenders John Brooks and Omar Gonzalez, and right back Timmy Chandler had particularly poor games. The absence of injured defender Geoff Cameron was glaring.A very, very bitter moment for us. Theres no doubt about it, said U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who called it the defeat that hurts most of his five-year tenure.Costa Rica (2-0), a 2014 World Cup quarterfinalist, leads the hex with six points, followed by Mexico and Panama, both 1-0-1 following Tuesday nights 0-0 draw in Panama City. Honduras (1-1) has three points, and the U.S. is tied with Trinidad and Tobago.Was the result embarrassing? Yes. But Im not embarrassed by our team, U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. Im very disappointed, obviously.Seeking its eighth straight World Cup berth, the Americans opened with a 2-1 loss to Mexico on Friday at Columbus, Ohio, their first home defeat in a qualifier since 2001.The top three teams qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia, and the No. 4 finisher advances to a playoff against Asias fifth-place nation.Mexico qualified with 11 points, Gulati said, thinking back to the last hex. Theres a lot of points left on the board -- 24 to be exact.As the U.S. dropped to 0-9-1 in qualifiers at Costa Rica, jubilant Ticos fans sounded air horns at the end of a match that reignited questioning of Klinsmanns tactics. A former World Cup champion and coach with Germany, Klinsmann will be under perhaps the most scrutiny since he was hired.He insisted he is the right person to lead the team.I obviously understand that when you lose two games and especially two World Cup qualifiers right after each other, that there will be a lot of your comments, he told reporters after the match. That is just part of the job.Qualifying resumes with a March 24 home game against Honduras followed by a match at Panama four days later. Gulati would not be drawn into a coaching discussion.We dont make any decisions right after games, he said. Well think about what happened today and talk with Jurgen and look at the situation.There was some whistling during The Star-Spangled Banner from the capacity crowd of about 35,000 in Estadio Nacional, where the field is surrounded by an athletics track and crowd noise dissipates -- even from a band in the second deck. The venue appears less intimidating to visitors than old Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, where fans were directly behind the benches.Costa Rica went ahead after a giveaway by Brooks. Randall Azofeifa took a short pass from Jose Salvatierra in the center circle and played a long ball into the corner, where Bolanos ran it down on its third bounce. Gonzalez didnt close down Bolanos, who crossed for Venegas just outside the 6-yard box. Venegas beat Brooks to the ball and sent a header across Guzan.Bolanos scored after a turnover by 18-year-old midfielder Christian Pulisic near midfield. Salvatierra sent a pass down the flank to Bryan Ruiz, and his cross found Bolanos in front, with Chandler a step late.Ronald Matarrita created both of Campbells goals, first sending a looping ball that Brooks misplayed into the path of the forward, who broke in alone and slotted the ball past Guzan from 16 yards. Then Matarrita lifted the ball from just past midfield as Campbell beat an offside trap by Brooks and Gonzalez, to break in alone again and follow with a second celebratory dance.At moments like this it does you no good to point fingers and to be looking around trying to figure out who you can throw under the bus, Bradley said. Come March, theres going to be the need to go after things in a strong way so we can start to put things right.Game notes Chandler and MF Jermaine Jones are suspended for the next qualifier because of yellow-card accumulation, both cautioned by Mexican referee for fouls against Ruiz. ... Honduras (2-0) beat visiting Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 on goals by Romell Quioto in the 16th, Emilio Izaguirre in the 19th and Eddie Hernandez in the 80th. Carlyle Mitchell scored in the 51st for the Soca Warriors (0-2). Cheap Vapormax China .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Cheap Air Max Plus Clearance . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. http:///...air-max-plus-tn.html . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger practiced in a limited capacity on Monday, just two weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee.Whether Roethlisberger is healthy enough to start under center when the Steelers visit their rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday remains to be seen.Still, Roethlisberger, who did not speak to reporters after practice, was initially expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks following the surgery, but he could return earlier than expected.We always talk about the next man up, but you cant replace Ben Roethlisberger, offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert said. Hes one of the greatest. Hes our leader.Teammates confirmed that Roethlisberger practiced some with the first team and scout team on Monday. He also participated in 7-on-7 drills and ran the no-huddle offense during the teams competition period.From what I saw, it was very encouraging, Gilbert said. He threw the ball and he moved around in the pocket pretty good. Its just a matter if hes game ready and if hes willing and able to take those hits because (the Ravens) will be coming and he has to do whats in his best interest so he doesnt have any setbacks.If Roethlisberger cant go, fourth-year veteran Landry Jones is likely to start. Jones finished 29 of 47 for 281 yards with a touchdown and an interception during a loss against New England.Landry did a great job, wide receiver Markus Wheaton said. No disrespect to Landry, but Bens our guy. It was exciting to see him get out there and sling it a little bit.Still, several teammates indicated they would like to see Roethlisberger return on Sunday only if hes 100 percent healthy.We want him back, but at the same time, I dont want him to be playing through a lot of pain, running back LeVeon Bell said. It depends on how he feels during the course of the wweek, but I dont want him to rush back. Cheap Air Max Plus Mens. We have a long season ahead and were going to need him down the stretch. Im sure hell be smart about it.Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is expected to provide an update on Tuesday. The team doesnt have to provide an official injury report until after Wednesdays practice, but teammates were encouraged to see Roethlisberger practice on Monday.As a leader on this team, and a guy coming off surgery like that, to come out and practice is huge, center Maurkice Pouncey said. It just shows his willingness to win and how much he cares about this team and the organization.I know all the guys around here appreciate that.Roethlisberger injured his left knee during a loss against Miami. He underwent surgery the following day and missed a home loss against New England the next Sunday, though he jogged onto the field to greet his defensive teammates and was spotted walking in the locker room without a limp.Roethlisberger began throwing passes during individual portions of practice two days later, just eight days after surgery.Now, he could be nearing an early return.Bens a competitor and he just wants to be out there with his team, so you can never count him out, Gilbert said. He loves football, he breathes football, and for him to be out there to push us, it gives us high hopes.Game notes Gilbert (ankle), Wheaton (shoulder) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (hamstring) all practiced on Monday. Gilbert missed the previous three games, while Heyward sat out the past two. Wheaton is dealing with a lingering shoulder issue and missed four of the Steelers first seven games, including the past two.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
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