The reasonable among us understand no there are no falling skies today for U.S. Soccer. Yes, the United States had a stinker last night down in San Jose – but this is now literally and figuratively behind them.
Jurgen Klinsmann’s team vacated the Costa Rican premises first thing this morning, chartering into Ohio, where they will relax the rest of the day and then train on Sunday, two days before Tuesday’s next shot at regional rival Mexico. (By the way, whatever you think of the United States current worry points, Michael Bradley’s bum ankle, the intensifying crisis at outside back, etc., ask yourself this: would you trade the current U.S. problems for Mexico’s problems? I thought not.)
Still, even those who understand that U.S. qualification for a seventh consecutive World Cup is all but mathematically in the bag, Friday’s loss is just a big ol’ bummer. So perhaps all the good, sweet, clean U.S. Soccer supporters could use a little pick-me-up, this evening, a little ice cream cone on a rainy day, so to speak.
Here ‘tis …
Just examine the U.S. history in Columbus, where the national team is undefeated inside Lamar Hunt’s leap of faith facility, the first major stadium constructed solely for soccer in the United States. (Good karma, eh?) The Americans are 6-0-3 there.
Heck, they’ve only conceded one goal in the place all-time. Here is the rundown:
- Oct. 11, 2000: 0-0 tie vs. Costa Rica
- Feb. 28, 2001: 2-0 win over Mexico
- June 7, 2001: 0-0 tie vs. Ecuador
- July 6, 2003: 2-0 win over Paraguay
- June 13, 2004: 3-0 win over Grenada
- Nov. 17, 2004: 1-1 tie vs. Jamaica
- Sept. 3, 2005: 2-0 win over Mexico
- Feb. 11, 2009: 2-0 win over Mexico
- Sept. 11, 2012: 1-0 win over Jamaica
Take special notice of that 2005 match. Bruce Arena’s team booked official qualification that sunny, late-summer day in Ohio for the 2006 World Cup. Surely you remember the famous Oguchi Onyewu stare down of Jared Borgetti?
Sound familiar? September match against Mexico at Crew Stadium with a chance to stake official passage to a World Cup? Sounds a lot like Tuesday, eh?