In Jürgen Klinsmann's second game as head coach of the U.S. men's national team, the U.S. showed glimpses of brilliance reminiscent of a world soccer powerhouse. But the U.S. couldn't sustain the effort and fell 1-0 to Costa Rica in an international friendly played at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. last Saturday night.

Costa Rica has given the U.S. trouble in the past and came into the match with a six-game unbeaten streak against the Yanks. But the U.S. looked like they had the Costa Ricans locked down early, controlling the ball and making crisp, decisive passes. But the "Ticos" weathered the storm and regrouped at halftime. Costa Rica came out with more confidence at the start of the second half and scored in the 65th minute off a diving header from Portland Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace.

"We knew Costa Rica was hoping to break on counters," Klinsmann said in a press conference after the game. "That's the way they play their game, and we have to respect and say congratulations to them. We tried everything to get back into the game and score our goal, and unfortunately we weren't able to."

Klinsmann, who was a star German national team player in the 1980s and 1990s, has started to implement a playing style similar to his native country's. Germany is known for its attacking play and gave birth to the mantra. "If we always attack, we will never have to defend." The style has suited Germany, as they have led scoring in the last two World Cups. So Klinsmann used an offensive 4-3-3 formation against the Costa Ricans, which the U.S. used to control most of the game.

The U.S. was most effective in the first half hour, fighting hard to win back the ball each time they lost it and creating their best chances of the game. In the sixth minute, winger Brek Shea combined with central midfielder Jose Torres to play Landon Donovan in behind the defense. But Donovan finished wide of the near post with his shot. One minute later, Shea fed unmarked forward Jozy Altidore the ball in the thick of the penalty area, but Altidore shot wide.

The U.S. continued to press, but Costa Rica began finding a rhythm late in the first half. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard made two saves in quick succession in first-half stoppage time, both off of Alvaro Sanchez. At the start of the second half, U.S. cohesion on the field was replaced with disarray as Costa Rica struck.

In the 65th minute, midfielder Alvaro Saborio found himself in behind the defense and one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Saborio played the ball to the middle of the penalty area for Michael Barrantes, whose first time shot was beaten away by Howard. But the rebound bounced towards Wallace, who finished the play with a diving header for his first international goal in his first international game.

"There was confidence there, there was technical ability there, yet it's difficult once a team like Costa Rica or any team in general goes one goal up," added Klinsmann. "They put nine men in the box and make it very difficult."

Torres had a long-range shot saved by Costa Rica's Keylor Navas in the 71st minute, the U.S.'s best bid to level the score. Klinsmann substituted Juan Agudelo and Sacha Kljestan late in the second half, and though both looked dangerous at times, neither could spark the U.S. to a late comeback.

"It can be hard at times," midfielder Maurice Edu told reporters after the match. "You have to stay mentally strong and just keep believing. Today was just one of those days where it just wasn't meant to be, I guess, and they capitalized on one of the few chances they did have. That's soccer sometimes. Obviously, we're disappointed with the result, but I think we can be somewhat proud of our performance, especially in the first half."

The U.S. plays another international friendly against Belgium tomorrow. Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey is expected to join the team in Brussels.