The US are already lagging behind their rivals in World Cup qualifying. Their defenders in particular will need to improve at a venue where they are winless
If there was any consolation for USA after the 2-1 defeat to Mexico on Friday night ended the 15-year sequence of 2-0 wins in Columbus, it might have been that no record lasts forever. And as the team move on to their next World Cup qualifier in San Jose on Tuesday night, they could really do with doing what no US team has ever done in 10 games — win in Costa Rica.
To anyone who finds that 0-8-2 record in Costa Rica puzzling, given that the US beat Costa Rica 4-0 in the Copa America just a few months ago, that’s the “beauty” of Concacaf qualifiers. The region’s qualifiers take place in a wide range of environments, from the cold of Columbus to the tropical heat of the Caribbean. So even for the traditionally dominant sides such as Mexico and the USA, the general rule of thumb is, win your home games, draw your away games, and anything else is a bonus.
Related: Mexico's Rafael Márquez scores late winner to stun USA in World Cup qualifier
Related: USA 1-2 Mexico: five things we learned from World Cup qualifying
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