The U.S. soccer team has a Jekyll and Hyde personality that makes it difficult to determine which will show for Wednesday night’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
During last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Panama, the Americans were as stagnant as ships backed up outside the canal.
“It’s really disappointing to watch the team, especially when we’re not playing as good as we can play,” said left back Antonee Robinson, who didn’t make that trip due to British COVID-19 restrictions. “Having to watch and not being able to try and help out is frustrating.”
The U.S. flowed during the second half of last month’s 4-1 win at Honduras and last week’s 2-0 victory over visiting Jamaica. Play was haphazard during an opening 0-0 draw at El Salvador and a 1-1 home tie against Canada.
A portion of the fan base nervous and skeptical following the failure to reach the 2018 World Cup hyperventilates at DEFCON1 in response to any hiccup.
U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter swapped seven starters in Panama in an effort to have fresh legs ready against Costa Rica, and a team already missing Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna due to injuries couldn’t string many passes without Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson.
