PARIS — It was another tough night for Jurgen Klinsmann's US side in a 1-0 away defeat to France at the Stade de France on Friday, the team's fourth goose egg in in six games under the new boss.
The Americans were only able to put two soft shots on target -— a first-half header off a set-piece from Maurice Edu, and a roller from 30 yards in the second half off the foot of Kyle Beckerman — compared to seven more dangerous attempts by France. The visitors were able to find better attack postures after Loïc Rémy broke the ice on 72 minutes, but there was to be no late rally from the Americans.
"I think we did OK [in approach], but finishing plays against a team like that is a challenge," US striker Jozy Altidore told MLSsoccer.com after the game. "They're a top team. You expect that."
Both Altidore and Clint Dempsey were on the receiving end of several hard fouls, which often broke up promising rushes. Not making any excuses, the Fulham ace knows the national team can — and probably should — do better.
"We have some things to work on so we can improve in the future," Dempsey told reporters. "It was positive that we were pressing at the end to get the draw."
The equalizer never came, leaving Klinsmann and the team searching again.
"He's frustrated about the lack of goals and the results," Dempsey said of the coach. "We need to get back to winning ways."
