Jones, Nguyen Unable to Help Stop U.S. Skid
- Updated: October 13, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
Fresh off a 120-minute performance three days earlier, Jermaine Jones was back among the starters while Lee Nguyen came on as substitute in the United States’ listless 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in an international friendly at Red Bull Arena on Tuesday.
Jones, who was stationed at his usual spot in the middle of the park, attempted to help the U.S. put Saturday’s CONCACAF Cup loss to Mexico behind them by launching a handful of his long-distance passes into the final third. But in his 45 minutes of action, the only significant stat the Revolution skipper registered was a 37th minute caution.
Nguyen, wearing the no. 15 shirt, came on in the 72nd minute for Brek Shea, moments after Joel Campbell put the Ticos on top with a 70th minute shot that beat the dive of Tim Howard. The Revolution’s current assist leader won a trio of free kicks during his 18-minute cameo, but ultimately, he was unable to spark a bland U.S. attack.
Attleboro, Mass. native Geoff Cameron was back in the lineup as well after playing the entirety of Saturday’s clash against Mexico. Like Jones, the Stoke City defender went the first 45 before he was taken off.
The loss extended the U.S.’s home losing streak to three, their longest since 1997.
Although the U.S., which featured seven changes to the lineup seen on Saturday, rarely looked dangerous, they were able to find a couple of early chances. At the half-hour, Shea sent a menacing free kick to the far post for Tim Ream, who nearly squeezed it through before Keylor Navas closed the window.
Minutes before the half, Ream tried his hand as the architect when he sent a ball through to DeAndre Yedlin, who positioned himself for a strong bid. But the fullback’s subsequent shot lacked the thrust necessary to truly test Navas.
On whole, Costa Rica was the undisputed aggressor. They outshot the U.S. 15-4, and forced eight saves out of Howard, who had to be sharp and decisive to keep the U.S. within range.
The U.S. will return to action on Nov. 13 when they kick off World Cup qualifying against St. Vincent & The Grenadines at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Jones and Nguyen will return to Foxborough later this week with the Revolution set to take on the Montreal Impact on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
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