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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- Standing on a sideline at Estadio Nacional, where a running track and 20-30 yards separate the field from the stands, Kasey Keller remembered getting hit on the head by a half-eaten hot dog during a World Cup qualifier at nearby Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, where fans were on top of players and the U.S. went 0-7 in World Cup qualifying.Crazy and war were some of the words the retired goalkeeper used.American players were hit with bags of urine, coins and batteries. The result was no different three years ago at the spacious new venue, where Costa Rica scored twice in the first nine minutes of a 3-1 win.Coming off Fridays 2-1 home loss to Mexico in the opening match of the final qualifying round for the 2018 tournament, the Americans are convinced they will end their skid on Tuesday night.History is just that, its history, captain Michael Bradley said Monday. Theres nothing anybody can do to change that, and quite honestly, we dont spend a whole lot of time worrying about it.The U.S. is 0-8-1 in World Cup qualifying at Costa Rica, losing its last eight matches.For the first time in 15 years, all three home teams were defeated on the same day in the hexagonal, as the final qualifying round in the North and Central and Caribbean region is known. In addition to the Americans loss in Columbus, Ohio, Costa Rica won 2-0 at Trinidad and Tobago and Panama won 1-0 at Honduras.You want to make sure that youre not falling behind, so that gives it a little more spice here tomorrow night, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said during a news conference at the 35,175-capacity stadium, which was paid for by the Chinese government and opened in 2011. We see it in many occasions that once we go a goal down, the dynamic changes and we add another gear to our game. Its maybe in the characteristics just of our program, of our players. Sometimes they need a wakeup call to get it really going.The U.S. struggled for much of the first 30 minutes against Mexico, leaving too much space in a three-center back formation designed around 18-year-old midfield wunderkind Christian Pulisic.It actually allowed us to get for Christian a position there where he can really have more freedom to hurt them. And here and there, he had a couple of runs. He couldnt finish those runs. Maybe the last touch was taken away from him, Klinsmann said. The 3-4-1-2 in a certain way is a system that actually plays to strength of our players that we have, because a Fabian Johnson plays more on a wing or even sometimes in the middle high up. A Timmy Chandler plays as a winger.The U.S. had more success against El Tri after switching to a conventional 4-4-2, and Klinsmann hinted his tactic Friday doesnt mean the next game has to be played that way.Still, a marking mix-up allowed Rafa Marquez to score on an 89th-minute header. Klinsmann blamed defender John Brooks.Hes angry at himself. He said in front of the team, My bad, the coach explained.Obviously we took the time to look at a few things and talk about a few things, Bradley said.The top three nations in the six-team round qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia, and the No. 4 country meets Asias fifth-place nation in a playoff. After this match, qualifiers dont resume until the U.S. hosts Honduras on March 24.Even the pre-match news conference displayed how road games are different. Klinsmann removed the products of Costa Rican Football Federation sponsors that had been placed on the podium, so as not to have them in photographs with him.Its a very different stadium than Saprissa, but the atmosphere, it doesnt change, said Bradley, who missed the 2013 match after injuring an ankle during warmups. Itd be easy to look at it and say, ah, theres a track and its not as loud or theyre not as into it, but thats not the case.A 2014 World Cup quarterfinalist, Costa Rica is ranked 18th, one slot behind Mexico and six ahead of the U.S. At the Copa America in June, the U.S. beat the Ticos 4-0.I remember the last game we played here. It was definitely loud, said Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who missed the Copa America with a left Achilles tendon injury. When they support us like that, its incredible. We expect that from them, and they expect a lot from us.Game notes American GK Tim Howard will have surgery Thursday to repair a torn adductor muscle in his right leg. Brad Guzan, who replaced Howard in the 40th minute Friday, will start against Costa Rica. ... Ds Matt Besler, Brooks and Chandler and MF Jermaine Jones would be suspended for the Honduras game if they get a yellow card. ... The referee is Mexican Cesar Ramos, who worked the Americans qualifier at Trinidad last year. ... Klinsmann anticipates having a January training camp that will include one or two exhibitions. Including qualifiers and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the U.S. is likely to play 20-22 games in 2017. Authentic NFL Jerseys China . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Cheap Football Jerseys . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. http://www.nflcheapjerseysfreeshipping.com/ . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. NFL Jerseys China . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Tigers gained ground in the American League wild card race on Wednesday night, even though they were rained out in Minnesota.Thursdays doubleheader gives Detroit another big opportunity to climb in the wild card standings.Wednesdays game was delayed by rain in the bottom of the third inning with the two teams scoreless and was postponed 90 minutes later leading to a split doubleheader on Thursday.Despite the rainout, the Tigers moved within a game of the Orioles for the final AL wild card as Toronto lost 2-1 at Seattle and Baltimore was beaten 5-1 by Boston.Right-hander Buck Farmer started for Detroit on Wednesday and had allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings. Minnesota rookie Jose Berrios had stranded runners on third in the first two innings while giving up two hits and two walks.Berrios entered the game with an 8.88 ERA in his first 12 major league starts, which included an 0-1 mark against the Tigers with a 19.06 ERA.Youre just looking for things to make him feel a little bit better about what hes doing, Twins manager Paul Molitor said. We talked about after those innings when hes able to get off the field unscathed even though hes had a rough time, and how he can build on those things. Its kind of like it never happened because its going to get washed away, but at least in his mind he knows he went out there and competed pretty well for three innings.Verlander has won 11 of his last 12 decisions against Minnesota with a 2.28 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 118 2/3 innings. Santana hasnt recorded a decision in his last three outings, despite allowing just four runs in 18 innings.TThe postponement could prove beneficial for a few injury situations for both teams.dddddddddddd.Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler and designated hitter Victor Martinez were both out of Wednesdays lineup. Kinsler likely wouldnt be ready for Thursday as he deals with a concussion. Martinez has swelling in his right knee after being hit by a pitch on Sunday.Twins third baseman Miguel Sano came to the ballpark on Wednesday with a little stiffness after a rigorous workout on Tuesday, Molitor said. Sano has been out since Sept. 12 with a back injury, but Molitor left open the possibility that he could return to the lineup on Thursday.Well see how he does tomorrow, Molitor said. I know he did some cage stuff today. Im hoping that he can swing. We dont have a ton of players, considering where were at, so it would be nice if we can spread the workload out a little bit tomorrow.Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, who is third in the AL with 41 home runs, was hit in the ribs by a pitch in Wednesdays abbreviated game.We have to wait to see how he feels tomorrow, Molitor said. It was kind of up in the rib section. Hopefully hell be OK to find his way in there tomorrow in the early game, and well see how he does.UP NEXT:Anibal Sanchez (7-13, 5.90 ERA) will start the day game for Detroit against Minnesotas Pat Dean (1-6, 6.71). The finale of the three-game series will feature Tigers ace Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.22) facing the Twins top starter in right-hander Ervin Santana (7-10, 3.53). ' ' '