Home Sweet Home: The US mnt can't lose at home and can't win on the road

Another round of qualifiers has begun for the 2010 World Cup, to be held in South Africa. Entering into their June 4 match with Costa Rica, the USA men's national team held a 1 point advantage over the lesser. By the end of the night, they trailed the leader by 2.

It took just 2' minutes for Costa Rica to strike, with Alvaro Saborio planting past US goalkeeper, Tim Howard. The game was downhill from that point forward. 11' minutes later disaster found its way into the back of the US net again, this time coming off of the foot of Celso Borges. It wasn't the fact that Costa Rica scored 2 goals in 13' minutes, but more a fact of sloppy play. The first half was a blunder of misfortune, with the US having 0 shots on goal. That is not a misprint. 0 shots on goal.

After half time signs of improvement were being shown by the US. The pace was slowed and the passing was crisp. But just as the confidence was building, Costa Rica stepped in and delivered what would be the knock-out blow. Pablo Herrera's 69' minute goal was the final showing out of Costa Rica. It was all that was needed. Landon Donovan did manage to grab one for the US in the 90' minute, but it was already over.

The US mnt have still yet to win on Costa Rican soil. Nothing can be said for the performance last night though. One reporter put it best by saying, "Costa Rica is a good team, but we are helping them look like Brazil!" The late minute goal by Donovan is the first goal to be scored on Costa Rica during these qualifiers, and the first goal to be scored on Costa Rican soil by the US mnt since Eddie Stewart in 2000.

The road has been tough for the US mnt this year managing a draw in El Salvador and now losing in Costa Rica. However, there's no place like home for the mnt, winning all home matches for the 2009 season so far. These wins include 3-2 over Sweden, 2-0 topping rival Mexico, and 3-0 over Trinidad & Tobago. Hopefully that road will continue to be smooth, as the US host Honduras in one last qualifying match before the Confederation's Cup begins. Good luck men, and Go USA!