Aggressive Start Imperative for USMNT in Must-Win Game Against Costa Rica

The United States men’s national team enter Tuesday’s clash with Costa Rica in last place of Group A at the Copa America Centenario. 

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding Friday’s 2-0 loss to Colombia, Jurgen Klinsmann’s men still have a chance to make a statement and set themselves up for a spot in the knockout round. In order to do that, the USMNT must display an aggressive brand of soccer against a familiar foe.

Tuesday’s match should contain the feel of a home World Cup qualifier, and it should be considered a must-win game for the Yanks since Costa Rica already have a point and group leaders Colombia take on Paraguay on the same night. Clint Dempsey echoed that sentiment on Sunday as he told reporters the Yanks are facing a must-win scenario. 

“It’s a must-win situation, backs against the wall,” Dempsey said, per ESPNFC’s Doug McIntyre. “It’s going to be a difficult game. They know they got a result that puts them in position to get out of the group. And for us, it’s a must-win. So it’s going to be a difficult challenge.”

The Yanks should feel comfortable in the situation since they just faced one like it back in March in World Cup qualifying.

With their backs against the wall following a loss on the road to Guatemala, the USMNT returned home and secured three points with a solid performance at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, versus La Azul y Blanco. That victory cured all the worries about moving on to the hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying. 

The game plan Klinsmann should institute for Tuesday’s game at Soldier Field in Chicago must feature more aggression on the part of every attack-minded player. …

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