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World Cup Qualifying Preview: United States vs. Costa Rica
Goal.com's Noah Davis takes stock of the USA's final match in CONCACAF qualifying, which is versus Costa Rica.
Oct 12, 2009 9:58:09 PM
By Noah Davis
Who: United States vs. Costa Rica
What: CONCACAF World Cup 2010 Qualifying
When: Wednesday, October 14; 8 p.m. ET
Where: RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN2 and Galavision
After 18 months, the United States Men's National Team is through to the 2010 World Cup. A come-from-behind, 3-2 victory over Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Saturday provided the necessary points to advance with a game to spare. Bob Bradley can relax a bit for Wednesday night's game against Costa Rica, but he'll still push his team to win the group. The Ticos, on the other hand, have to come away with three points to be sure to avoid a fourth place finish and a home-and-away series with the CONMEBOL's fifth-place finisher. Unfortunately, for new manger Rene Simoes' side, a trip to South America seems inevitable if Costa Rica loses.
Qualified, but not finished
Although the U.S. manager could field a team made of mostly reserves and be competitive -- thank this summer's Gold Cup for getting some players experience -- winning this match remains a priority. "We have a lot of pride," Bradley said after a training session at RFK Stadium on Monday afternoon. "We want to win the group." Since Mexico is unlikely to lose against Trinidad and Tobago, even in Hasely Crawford Stadium, the Americans need three points to finish on top of the Hexagonal Round with 22 points. (The exact total I predicted back in February.) Beating Costa Rica would exact a measure of revenge for the 3-1 beatdown they gave the U.S. in San Jose.
Who: United States vs. Costa Rica
What: CONCACAF World Cup 2010 Qualifying
When: Wednesday, October 14; 8 p.m. ET
Where: RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN2 and Galavision
After 18 months, the United States Men's National Team is through to the 2010 World Cup. A come-from-behind, 3-2 victory over Honduras in San Pedro Sula on Saturday provided the necessary points to advance with a game to spare. Bob Bradley can relax a bit for Wednesday night's game against Costa Rica, but he'll still push his team to win the group. The Ticos, on the other hand, have to come away with three points to be sure to avoid a fourth place finish and a home-and-away series with the CONMEBOL's fifth-place finisher. Unfortunately, for new manger Rene Simoes' side, a trip to South America seems inevitable if Costa Rica loses.
Qualified, but not finished
Although the U.S. manager could field a team made of mostly reserves and be competitive -- thank this summer's Gold Cup for getting some players experience -- winning this match remains a priority. "We have a lot of pride," Bradley said after a training session at RFK Stadium on Monday afternoon. "We want to win the group." Since Mexico is unlikely to lose against Trinidad and Tobago, even in Hasely Crawford Stadium, the Americans need three points to finish on top of the Hexagonal Round with 22 points. (The exact total I predicted back in February.) Beating Costa Rica would exact a measure of revenge for the 3-1 beatdown they gave the U.S. in San Jose.
 Bob Bradley wants the USA to top the group |
So who's starting…
Given the desire to win, it seems more than likely that Bradley with only make a few changes to the Starting XI. Steve Cherundolo will replace Jonathan Spector, whose lack of playing time at West Ham resulted in a poor match in San Pedro Sula. This is a perfect game for Jozy Altidore to get a start, despite Conor Casey's two-goal performance. (The Colorado Rapids striker sat out Monday's training session with an undisclosed illness.) I'd also expect to see Jose Francisco Torres get a look, but not from the opening kickoff. Part of me wants to say Brad Guzan gets the start in net, but I still think Tim Howard will play between the pipes.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Tico
Before Saturday's 4-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose, Costa Rica has lost their three previous matches by a combined score of 8-0. That stretch saw the Central American side slide from first place in the final round of CONCACAF qualification to fourth. Star midfielder Celso Borges missed the game over the weekend, and his status remains in doubt. His absence didn't hurt the Ticos, however, as Alvaro Saborio scored a brace, but they will suffer if he can't go against the U.S. With Costa Rica's U-20 side playing Brazil in the semifinals of the youth World Cup on Tuesday, this could be an epic few days for the country of four million, but both squads will have to be at their best.
 Celso Borges may not be able to play |
Projected U.S. Line Up
----------------------Guzan---------------------
Cherundolo--Onyewu--Bocanegra--Bornstein
Holden-----Feilhaber-----Bradley----Donovan
------------Davies----------Altidore----------
Projected Costa Rica Line Up
---------------------Navas--------------------
Montero-----Marin-----Herrera-----Sirias
Centeno--Barrantes--Azofeifa--Marshall
------------Ruiz-----------Saborio-----------
Goal.com prediction
United States 2-1 Costa Rica
Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.
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