"Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!" This was Tuesday nights battle cry, as United States fans heckled Costa Rican families in hopes to see a victory that would clench Group C for the US. Coming off a 4-1 victory over Cuba, spirits were high for the United States faithful. However, the players knew Costa Rica would provide a much greater challenge.
Despite being outnumbered by Costa Rican fans, the US supporters were loud and energetic. To be honest, it was nice to see. The presence of soccer in the United States has definitely been increasing and it was evident last night, even though it was the B squad on the pitch. Maybe it was the booze, or the lure of bodacious Costa Rican babes, but the US supporters were pumped. The game got off to a fairly slow start. Much like the Cuba game, the first half was pretty lethargic. Both teams lacked any sort of will to create and seemed content simply to possess the ball and wait for something to happen. This would go on for the majority of the first half. If not for the rowdiness of the crowd, it would have been painful to watch. The game was also a bit chippy. There was definitely some bad blood between the two teams, perhaps left over from the winter wonderland game that took place in Colorado. Regardless, things were testy, as players blatantly were getting at one another. I remember looking up at the big screen and seeing a close up of Clarence Goodson. After getting in a bit of a scuffle with a Costa Rican forward, you could read Goodson's lips as he shouted, "You're a fucking pussy!" It was awesome. Anyways, that was pretty much the first half. Riveting stuff, I know. Both teams accomplished nothing that first half. The only time the American's posed any sort of threat was on crosses, something they should definitely focus on though, because they were dangerous from the wings. The second half was much of the same, accompanied by atrocious refereeing. When I say atrocious, I mean ATROCIOUS. Neither the linesmen nor the referee looked like they knew a single thing they were doing. It was terrible to watch. The only call they could make was offside. There were a few pivotal moments where the whistle should have been blown but was left dangling as decoration around the ref's neck. There were also times where play should have resumed, when the ref's decided they should probably do something so it doesn't look like they didn't know what was going on. Well guess what, it looked like you had no idea what was going on. Fucking ridiculous.
Finally, Jurgen was clearly getting fed up by the lack of drive, and subbed in Brek Shea and a few others in the second half. At this point, my brother and I looked at each other and simultaneously were like, "Fuck, that dude sucks!" Sorry Shea, but you really just aren't that good. From what I've seen from you so far, your touch is awful, awareness is awful, and you just look awkward as fuck. But of course, this is the fuck that's going to put it away for us. In the 82nd minute, after Costa Rica rips one off the woodwork, Donovan receives an outlet pass from Corona and sets off on the break. He finds a wide open Shea with nothing but the goalie and net in front of him. Shea might as well have closed his eyes and hoped for the best. He struck the ball directly at the keeper, who made an abysmal attempt to block the shot, as it went of the keepers hands and into the net. And that pretty much sums it up. Slow play, no intensity. If not for the crowd it honestly would've been pretty painful sitting through 90 minutes for that game. If the U.S. wishes to go anywhere in next year's World Cup, they're going to have to step it up. Focus on their strengths and find the will to win.
