It was a poor and surprising 4-1 loss in Dublin that had American soccer fans, media and alumni reacting in entertaining fashion.
Whether it was “Captain America” Claudio Reyna questioning how it all went down, an MLS veteran giving out a reality check or just angry fans being angry, there was a lot to take in on the Internet, especially Twitter.
[Match recap | Defense struggles | Player ratings]
We have the players to play better! 4-1 vs. 2nd string Ireland?!
— Claudio Reyna (@CReynaNYCFC) November 18, 2014
We should also stop saying “Oh it’s 3.5 years before the World Cup!” I give a damn about the Gold Cup & Copa Centenario, too. #USMNT
— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) November 18, 2014
How many USMNT guys on the field have been dominating at the club level the last 4 months? Average/rusty players = average/rusty performance — Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) November 18, 2014
#USMNT‘s 4-1 loss to 61st-ranked Ireland is its worst ever to a team ranked outside the FIFA top 60 (FWIW). — Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) November 18, 2014
Based on this match I can only conclude that Ireland will win the 2018 World Cup.
— SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) November 18, 2014
All I know is with Bob, the excuse was always “We have the players to do better.” Now with Klinsmann, players are the issue? No. #usmnt
— Jay Bell (@JayBellHS) November 18, 2014
Say what you want about friendlies, young players, and what have you; we just lost to a team that hasn’t been to the WC since 2002. #USMNT — Nathan Pillay (@npillay41) November 18, 2014
Klinsmann: I got in trouble a couple years ago for saying it. “But I’m telling you again: We have to get nastier.” — Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) November 18, 2014