COLUMBUS, Ohio \u2014 It was the end of a streak, the end of “dos a cero.” the end of Mexico\u2019s Columbus curse and, possibly, the start of some World Cup nerves for the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n The Americans started poorly, rebounded strongly, but ultimately came unstuck defensively to lose 2-1 to its fiercest rival at MAPFRE Stadium on Friday night to commence their final phase of World Cup qualifying in the worst possible fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n An 89th-minute header from Mexican veteran Rafa Marquez sealed a tense and tetchy encounter that the U.S. looked to have salvaged a point from on a difficult, physical and chilly night.<\/span><\/p>\n Having beaten Mexico 2-0 at this venue and this same stage of qualifying for the past four World Cup cycles, the U.S. was entitled to feel good about its chances of kicking off the last and most crucial part of the road to Russia in style.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead, it was Mexico that came out firing and could have put the game to bed in a first half that it completely dominated, hitting the woodwork twice as the U.S. struggled to gain a foothold and Jurgen Klinsmann was forced to tinker with his tactics.<\/span><\/p>\n An injury to goalkeeper Tim Howard, who hurt his groin and had to be replaced by Brad Guzan, did nothing to help matters for the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n “Losing hurts. Losing sucks,” said Howard, who will have an MRI on Saturday but is not expected to play in the next game. “Losing to Mexico hurts a bit more and we will allow ourselves to hurt tonight. But it is not doom and gloom.”<\/span><\/p>\n Having been out-thought and out-played in the first half, the Americans needed a swift response. They got one. Sometimes equalizing goals come from careful and meticulous planning. Sometimes they come from nowhere.<\/span><\/p>\n Bobby Wood\u2019s tying effort was the latter, a canny piece of opportunism with a smattering of fortune thrown in. John Brooks\u2019 long ball forward was well held up by Jozy Altidore, whose sliding pass fell perfectly for Wood to strike it home from close range.<\/span><\/p>\n For a while, the goal changed the nature of the game. The U.S. had not lost a home World Cup qualifier in 15 years and was determined to make the most of its reprieve.<\/span><\/p>\n Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones began to take control of the midfield, Wood\u2019s runs were wreaking havoc, and possession and momentum shifted firmly toward the home side.<\/span><\/p>\n Even so, there were some nervy moments. Omar Gonzalez\u2019s clumsy challenge on Hector Herrera at the hour mark was fortunate not to result in a Mexico penalty.<\/span><\/p>\n Hirving Lozano had a strong late chance for Mexico, but wasted a fine run by attempting to cross the ball sideways instead of taking aim for Guzan\u2019s net.<\/span><\/p>\n Klinsmann\u2019s men also had chances to snatch three points, especially when Altidore let fly with a curling late free-kick that forced goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera to hustle and push the ball over the crossbar.<\/span><\/p>\n Just as it seemed a tie would provide a fair result, Mexico had a final twist to offer. Marquez, no stranger to American audiences due to his long tenure on the Mexican national team and a prior stint with the New York Red Bulls, found himself unmarked on the near post on a corner from the left, and calmly guided the ball into the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n Marquez had suffered in Columbus so many times before, enough for Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio to describe his winning contribution as a “gift from the football gods.”<\/span><\/p>\n Now things could get a little tricky for the U.S. On Tuesday, it visits World Cup quarterfinalist Costa Rica knowing a second straight loss would be a dismal start to the six-team, double round-robin competition that will send three teams from the CONCACAF region to the World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n “I think Mexico had the better part in the first half,” Klinsmann said. “Second half was outstanding. The only thing that was missing was a couple of goals. Right at the end it went their way, but it was very intense, exciting, a really good quality battle. It now puts us a bit on our toes going down to Costa Rica and going there for three points.”<\/span><\/p>\n As recent political history tells us, one bad night does not a campaign make. But Klinsmann and his team have much to ponder as they prepare to leave what was previously their happiest hunting ground.<\/span><\/p>\n Source:\u00a0http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/soccer\/2016\/11\/11\/mexico-stuns-us-2-1-world-cup-qualifier\/93681500\/<\/span><\/p>\n