HARRISON, N.J. — In the wake of Saturday’s bitter loss to the archrival Mexico in the Concacaf Cup playoff, the United States national team lost to Costa Rica, 1-0, on Tuesday night in the final game before the start of World Cup qualifying. It was the United States’ fourth straight loss to a Concacaf opponent.
Before the game, the embattled head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he wanted to see heart and character in his team, but he got neither in a dull and lethargic loss at Red Bull Arena.
The small announced crowd of 9,214 heavily supported Costa Rica, which created far more offensive opportunities and played like the better team.