Jurgen Klinsmann chalked up his team's shock 2-0 defeat to Guatemala to a "lack of focus," while adding that the team always knew the road to the 2018 World Cup would be a long and tricky one.
Klinsmann made some puzzling lineup choices as the American defense self-destructed Friday night in Guatemala City, and said responsibility for the loss was on everyone associated with the team.
"I think it was a lack of focus, concentration, and wrong decisions," Klinsmann said. "We have to take responsibility for it, every one of us, coaches, players, and move on and get it done on Tuesday.
"We always said that World Cup qualifying is a long road, a tricky road, a difficult road."
Klinsmann already was criticized following his team's semifinal elimination in last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup and a loss to Mexico in the Confederations Cup playoff.
He started Omar Gonzalez and Michael Orozco in central defense after John Brooks returned to Germany on Friday because of a bruised left knee and defender Matt Besler sustained a concussion in training Thursday.
Fabian Johnson, a midfielder and defender who has a groin injury, didn't dress; midfielder Jermaine Jones is suspended; and Jozy Altidore, the top American forward, was limited to entering in the 66th minute as he recovers from yet another hamstring injury.
Howard started for the U.S. at the last two World Cups but has lost his starting job at Everton and was appearing in his first match since Jan. 24.
Geoff Cameron started at right back rather in the more central role he usually plays for Stoke; DeAndre Yedlin started in midfield rather than right back, his position with Sunderland; and Mix Diskerud was in a defensive midfield role, which he doesn't play for New York City.
Cameron switched to the center and Yedlin moved to right back when Gyasi Zardes entered in the 59th.
Castillo, the American left back, made a wide backpass that Howard couldn't get to and rolled over the end line, leading to the first goal. Guatemala's first corner kick was chested over the line by Orozco, leading to a second.
Morales jumped over Mix Diskerud, who appeared to slip, to meet Jean Marquez's corner and Morales nodded the ball off Diskerud and to the left of a diving Howard, just inside the post.
Klinsmann said a defender was supposed to be on the line.
"We write everything on the white board. It's in the locker room," Klinsmann said. "It shouldn't happen."
Ruiz then scored his 60th international goal when Motta's goal kick went the length of the field, just past Michael Bradley's head. Ruiz burst past three Americans, ran onto the ball and slotted it under Howard from just inside the penalty area.
"A sequence of mistakes," Klinsmann said. "From Michael not heading the ball to the center backs thinking that Michael has it. One was thinking the other has it."
The United States are now in a nearly must-win situation when the teams meet again Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio.