Jamaica's coach Theodore Whitmore (L) greets coach Juergen Klinsmann of the U.S. before their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Kingston September 7, 2012. REUTERS/Gilbert BellamyGILBERT BELLAMY/Reuters
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants his squad to play smarter and simpler after a stinging 2-1 loss at Jamaica on Friday in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match.
It was the first US loss to the Reggae Boyz in 19 matches, although the Americans have never won in Jamaica.
"Every time we played simple passing and combined, we created chances," said Klinsmann. "In between those moments we just made things far too complicated."
Tottenham striker Clint Dempsey scored only 36 seconds into the match, the fastest goal in US World Cup qualifying history.
But the Caribbean side answered with goals by Rodolph Austin in the 23rd minute and Luton Shelton in the 62nd.
"A couple of things went wrong," Klinsmann said. "Having that lead maybe gave players the feeling they can play the complicated way. I told them at half-time this is not the way it works. You've got to keep things simple on the field.
"We have to fix it now. We have to fix it back in Columbus and I think it's clear to the players that in certain moments you just need to be a little bit smarter."
The Americans will face Jamaica in a rematch on Tuesday at Columbus, Ohio, in what is now a crucial match to advancing into next year's final round of CONCACAF (North American) regional World Cup qualifying.
"The good thing about the situation now is that we can repair things in four days," Klinsmann said.