Jurgen Klinsmann looks a bit sad, so too the national side

The regression of the MNT under Jurgen Klinsmann is now indisputable. Four years after taking the helm, the USA is playing like a side bereft of confidence, work rate, and focus. These are the national side’s hallmarks which mellow out the technical shortcomings. Last year’s Gold Cup was a harbinger of the decline as the USA lost to Jamaica for the first time and to Panama for the second time in 11 matches. Yesterday, the USA continued its stumbling run up to the World Cup losing to Guatemala, a side they had not lost to in 21 other attempts.

Guatemala drew first blood early off a corner conceded from Edgar Castillo’s poorly directed back pass. Rafael Morales was able to elevate over and head as Mix Diskerud slipped and the ball bounced off the midfield and past Tim Howard. There was no defender guarding the posts. The second goal was even simpler as a goal kick was allowed to travel untouched to the feet of Carlos Ruiz who took advantage of the confusion in the midfield to run at Howard to finish off the USA. The highlights shows Michael Bradley deciding not to head the ball and the two central defenders stopping in their tracks thinking he would allowing Ruiz, the MLS journeyman a clear path to goal.

These mistakes will get all the analysis. But the real problem lies in the unsettled look to the side. Some of this had to do with injuries. However, Klinsmann’s latest tinkering shifted Diskerud into an unfamiliar holding role with Bradley. The midfield sat back too deep disconnected from strikers Bobby Wood and Clint Dempsey. Michael Orozco filling in for the injured John Brooks was far too tentative in central defence. Geoff Cameron was shunted to right back and De Andre Yedlin to midfield. Jozy Altidore hampered by hamstring injuries came on in the 66th minute as the USA attack sputtered and also found Paolo Motta impregnable.

So far the USA has just the one win against lowly St Vincent, been held to a blank against T&T, failed to score in this latest loss. It’s clear the USA has problems scoring goals. There are two home games against Guatemala and T&T and then away to St Vincent to make the hexagon, the final hurdle to the World Cup. The USA should get there but the way they’re struggling fills no one with confidence.

Highlights of the horror show: