Altidore loses his cool and will now have to sit out of U.S. vs Mexico as he picks up another yellow card.
90' +1
USA is just holding on to the ball, trying to run out the clock.
90'
A. Jóhannsson enters the game and replaces C. Dempsey.
The Costa Rican crowd is partying, their team is about to seal 3 points.
88'
EJ charges into Navas as he tries to get a goal in. Dempsey is being subbed for Aron Johannsson.
86'
R. Brenes enters the game and replaces C. Bolaños.
84'
Bolanos, one of CR's most dangerous players, comes off for some fresh legs.
82'
If the score holds, a loss for the U.S. wouldn't be the end of the world BUT there will be serious questions asked of the team's defense and some coaching decisions from Klinsmann.
80'
Á. Saborío enters the game and replaces B. Ruiz.
Besler's yellow card means that he'll be out for the crucial clash against Mexico in Columbus, OH. U.S. fans could see John Anthony Brooks become cap-tied in that match.
79'
Campbell almost got another one right there as his flick on just misses inches off of goal.
78'
M. Besler gets yellow.
Minute
Description
76'
USA actually looked better in the second half but this is what happens when you concede so early on the road. It's non-stop trying to play catch up and good sides take advantage.
75'
J. Campbell has scored a goal for Costa Rica! Assist by J. Cubero.
CR's defense launches a long ball pass to Campbell who beats Beasley on the one on one and scores. GOAL!!!! Costa Rica.
73'
J. Cubero enters the game and replaces Y. Tejeda.
72'
Altidore has scored in his past five matches for the U.S. but it'll be interesting to see if he can shake off the rust from his recent injury.
71'
J. Altidore enters the game and replaces F. Johnson.
Looks like Donovan and Dempsey will play out wide while Altidore and Johnson are up top.
70'
Altidore comes on for Johnson.
69'
Another close attempt for Dempsey as his header fails into Navas' hands. Great play by Donovan, who's playmaking ability has been on display on the second half.
67'
USA continues to dominate in possession with 66 percent and its shot attempts have doubled with six, three on goal.
62'
G. Cameron gets yellow.
Costa Rica has a long range direct free kick in front of goal but the 40-yard shot sails out of bounds.
59'
EJ moves up top, Dempsey flanks him and Donovan moves to right mid.
58'
E. Johnson enters the game and replaces G. Zusi.
Eddie Johnson is going to be brought in for Graham Zusi.
Will be interesting to see if Johnson goes to his preferred position up top or plays on the flanks.
56'
Wow, what an attempt by Dempsey then a equally strong save by Navas. That was the U.S. captain at his best, using his craft footwork to create space in the box.
52'
OK, OK maybe he'd share that award with Ruiz and Campbell but he's been crucial at times.
51'
Another crucial save from CR's GK Navas. If the home side wins, he is definitely man of the match!
50'
A Donovan corner finds Besler and his shot attempt sails just a foot right from Goal. Good to see the Galaxy star on set pieces again. Another corner for USA.
48'
In other results, Mexico has fallen behind Honduras 2-1 after leading early and Panama vs Jamaica is tied at halftime 0-0.
47'
U.S. is asserting more control in the midfield in this half.
45'
Dempsey's goal was a vital boost for the U.S., the side heads into the locker room probably feeling a bit better than it did 10-15 minutes ago.
KICK OFF!!! Costa Rica has the ball.
No changes for the U.S. to start the second half.
43'
Penalty goal scored by C. Dempsey for United States!
42'
What a crazy set of events on the penalty. Dempsey's shot is blocked but he blasted with so much power that it still ends up in goal. GOAL!!!! USA!
41'
K. Navas gets yellow.
Dempsey up for the penalty...
40'
Penalty for the U.S.!!!!!
39'
Bryan Ruiz continues to dominate the U.S. on the right side.
36'
C. Bolaños gets yellow.
Bolanos calls for another penalty in the box as he claims Orozco tripped him but the referee has seen enough and gives the Costa Rican a yellow card.
35'
Another crucial save by Howard as he blocks Campbell's attempt. Campbell is showing why he is highly-touted by Arsenal.
34'
Though Costa Rica is trailing in possession, the team is dominating in shot attempts with nine shots, four on target. The U.S. has three shots and two on target.
32'
M. Umaña gets yellow.
31'
Costa Rica almost gets the U.S. again on a counter attack but Bolaños trips up. The midfielder is calling for a penalty but the refs aren't buying it.
28'
U.S.'s corner has little effect as Costa Rica breaks up the play in the box and pushes up on offense.
27'
Another crucial save by Navas forces a U.S. corner.
25'
Navas blocks the U.S.'s best offensive opportunity as a pinpoint pass from Johnson to Donovan gets intercepted at the last second by the goalkeeper.
22'
Another dangerous moment for Costa Rica, the team penetrates in the U.S. box and Bolaños's shot is saved by Howard forcing a corner.
20'
Better by the U.S. as Jones sees an opportunistic moment and launches a long range shot from just outside of the box. While the shot sails wide, at least the team is being more aggressive.
18'
Despite the U.S.'s struggles, the team has 64 percent of possession. If the team can find more of that in Costa Rica's final third, this score could turn around.
16'
Right now it appears that too many guys are playing out of their roles on the U.S. Strange decision by Klinsmann to experiment in a World Cup qualifier.
13'
Howard is being put to work in the opening 15 minutes. Already has two saves and has conceded twice.
11'
On the last goal it was clear to see that Orozco unfamiliarity with the right back position was taken advantage of.
10'
C. Borges has scored a goal for Costa Rica! Assist by C. Bolaños.
The Costa Rica midfield took advantage of the U.S. on a counter attack and a cross to Borges in the box sees the midfielder's header go in.
9'
COSTA RICA GETS ANOTHER GOAL. WOW
6'
The U.S. is trying to build possession in the midfield but its difficult with Costa Rica pressing on every attempt.
5'
This is Klinsmann's worst nightmare. Now the supporters have grown in morale and are encouraging Costa Rica to score again. Never good to concede early on the road.
2'
J. Acosta has scored a goal for Costa Rica! Assist by J. Campbell.
GOAL!!! Costa Rica gets on the board early as Acosta beats Beasley on a corner set piece and scores on the top right of the goal.
1'
Quick response by Howard, who is tested immediately by Bryan Ruiz and reacts with a save.
Hello Goal readers, welcome to Goal's coverage of the United States' crucial World Cup qualifer against Costa Rica. This is Alex Labidou (@sportslab) and I will be providing my LIVE insights of tonight's away match for the Stars and Stripes. A win will see the U.S. qualify for next year's World Cup.
Here is the U.S. starting lineup: Howard; Orozco, Gonzalez, Besler; Beasley; Bradley, Jones; Zusi, Donovan, F. Johnson; Dempsey (capt.).
Biggest surprise is that Klinsmann isn't using an traditional striker with Dempsey starting up top. U.S. fans will be happy to see Donovan return to the starting lineup after spending over a year without World Cup qualifying action. His strong form in the Gold Cup clearly paid dividends.
While the U.S. will be determined, there are several factors that could play against them.
Only four days prior to its big rivalry clash against Mexico, the U.S. has a Mexican referee officiating the match against Costa Rica. With every game a must-win for El Tri, Jurgen Klinsmann has voiced his concern considering that several of his players are on a yellow card warning.
Other factor is Costa Rica clearly looking for revenge. The team is still fuming over having to play the snow classico and will want to right that loss with a dominant win. I still see the U.S. edging out a close match.
Goal readers, if you have any questions, follow me on twitter @sportslab and send me a tweet.
A freak injury has taken U.S. star Michael Bradley off the field, he was seen limping off. Both Kyle Beckerman and Geoff Cameron are warming up.
Cameron will start in place of Bradley. Hopefully Bradley's injury isn't severe. Would be a tough blow for the team as he is arguably the U.S.'s best player.
National anthems are playing for both teams. U.S. first followed by Costa Rica.
Have to wonder Bradley's pregame injury (now confirmed to be a left ankle sprain) will affect the U.S.
KICK OFF!!! U.S. has the ball to start the game.
Goal readers, have any questions? Send them over to @sportslab.
Players are back on the field. Second half is about to start.
And that's it folks. Very disappointing performance for the U.S. Besler, Altidore, Cameron and possibly Bradley will be out against Mexico. Tough break for Klinsmann.
This is Alex Labidou, (@sportslab), signing off on this LIVE commentary. Follow me for all the latest updates and breaking news.
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