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The United States men’s national team got off to the worst possible start to the CONCACAF Hexagonal on Friday night. Losing 2-1 at home to their rivals Mexico means that there’s a very good chance the Americans could start the final round of World Cup qualifying with two losses.
To avoid that happening, they must travel to San Jose, Costa Rica and pull out a result. Considering the U.S. has never won there in their history, a draw could be the best case scenario for them. As hard as that is to admit, it’s time to be realistic for this 10-match stretch. A draw wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Even if the worst happens and they do begin 0-2, hope isn’t lost. Mexico proved last cycle that this Hexagonal format is a very forgiving one.
Optimism is dangerously low right now, but if Mexico can come into Columbus and win in America for the first time since 1972, there has to be hope for the U.S. tonight, right?
Jurgen Klinsmann has a lot of lineup questions to answer as his experimental 5-3-2/3-5-2 completely wet the bed in the first half against El Tri. He’ll also be without his preferred No. 1 goalkeeper as Tim Howard has been sent back to Colorado to be re-evaluated for an abductor injury.
It will undoubtedly be a tough night for the Americans. Can they grit out a result in a very unfriendly environment?
How to Watch
Kickoff Time: 9:05 p.m. ET / 6:05 p.m. PT
Available TV: beIN Sports, NBC Universo
Available Streams: fuboTV (Free Trial), beIN Sports Connect, NBC Universo Now, Sling TV, go90 (Mobile Only)