Klinsmann looks ahead after surprise loss

United States manager Juergen Klinsmann remains upbeat despite his side’s surprise 2014 World Cup qualifying loss to Jamaica.

The 2-1 defeat on Friday was the States’ first in the third round of CONCACAF qualifying and means they have plenty of work to do in their final three games if they are to progress to round four.

Klinsmann said his team would look to put things right when they meet Jamaica again in Columbus on Tuesday.

The side from the Caribbean could guarantee a place in the final phase of qualifying with a win as they aim to return to the World Cup for the first time since their maiden appearance in 1998.

“In a moment of defeat you learn a lot,” Klinsmann said.

“You probably learn more when you get beaten than when you win games – and so we’ve learnt a lot. We take that away with us to Columbus.

“I think that certain things we did wrong we will avoid on Tuesday, and we will continue to build.

“We knew (Friday) would be a difficult game, we were aware of the Jamaican team, we respected them, and we have to take it the way it is now.”

Clint Dempsey, who scored the opening goal for the US in Kingston on Friday, said Tuesday’s match would provide the perfect opportunity for retribution.

“That’s the way it goes sometimes,” Dempsey said.

“You have these World Cup qualifiers away from home and you need to take advantage of the home games.

“We’ve got the game coming up against them again so hopefully we can give them some payback.”