"This was an unmitigated failure", the words of former US soccer player and current TV pundit Alexi Lalas as the fall-out and reaction from the USMNT's defeat to Jamaica in their Gold Cup Semi-Final began.
As major news stations and publications began to try and comprehend the defeat by Jamaica -- the first time in the history of the Gold Cup that the US has been defeated by someone other than Mexico -- coach Jurgen Klinsmann is facing calls for his departure as USMNT coach.
Having been appointed in 2011 as both Head Coach and Technical Director of the US Men's Soccer the German was set two tasks - 1) to attract players that were eligible to play for the US through their parentage from around the world and 2) to improve the U.S.'s youth development programs.
On both of those counts Klinsmann is considered a success, having recruited players like Aron Johannsson, Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks to name a few. His experience and status in the game have clearly been a draw for younger players playing outside the U.S.
Klinsmann has also overseen progress in the US youth ranks with players like Deandre Yedlin, Perry Kitchen and Jordan Morris all on the verge of breaking into the senior side.
However, the loss against Jamaica is seen by some as an exposure of all of Klinsmann's coaching flaws. His lack of tactical preparation, lack of clarity of what's expected from the players and a strange squad selection that appeared to be purely experimental and even naive in places.
Some are focusing on his decision to play Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks in the center of defense, two players without tournament experience prior to the Gold Cup, who were ultimately found to be at fault for Jamaica's first goal.
Others are looking at the decision to play US star player Michael Bradley in an attacking midfield role, despite the Toronto FC player's goal for the US, this was a position further forward than Bradley has played previously with the USMNT.
Others simply put it down to Klinsmann's inability to prepare a side to face an opposition whose style of play had been unchanged not only through the Gold Cup but in June's Copa America as well.
Perhaps most damning for Klinsmann is the continued lack of preparation of replacements for his starting eleven. During last year's World Cup when Jozy Altidore got injured, the US lacked a real threat up front, and having chosen to leave Landon Donovan out of his squad, questions were inevitably asked.
This time, having witnessed Kyle Beckerman outclassed in the US midfield and having withdrawn him from the game, Klinsmann had no replacement in the defensive midfield role.
The frustration born out of Klinsmann's lack of squad usage inevitably increased the sense that he is not of the same standard of coaching as some of his worldwide counterparts and has taken the US as far as he can.
There is no doubt that he has achieved some great results with the USMNT, wins over Italy, Germany and Holland have shown the progression that the team has made, and have served as impressive yardsticks as to the levels that this team is capable of.
But a coach and a team are not defined by their ability to play well in big matches, that's not what makes a team great. Consistency is the key to a truly great side - and having seen what the USMNT is capable of, it's no surprise that Klinsmann is being criticized for not taking the Gold Cup seriously enough.
Make no mistake, the US should have qualified for Sunday's Final. Then at least against Mexico you could argue that they might lose to a better team - and despite all of Jamaica's commendable achievements the US should have had enough quality to overcome them.
The true test for Klinsmann will come in October when his team face a place off for the Confederations Cup against the winners of Sunday's Final. Qualification to the tournament should be a minimum for the USMNT, who will then get the chance to show their standard against the winners of the rest of the world's continental competitions.
Having just announced a friendly against Brazil for September, an opportunity for the US to play the role of underdogs and no doubt impress once again.
Klinsmann may also be well advised to remember that his team need to face sides of all levels in order to become fully prepared for tournaments, including teams against whom they are the favorites.
Should the play-off in October end unfavorably for Klinsmann, then US Soccer may have to choose between Klinsmann solely being the Head Coach, Klinsmann solely being the Technical Director or Klinsmann being neither.