Costa Rica vs. USA
Estadio Saprissa, San José
Referee:
This match is part of the fifth matchday in the Hexagonal, but has been moved forward to accommodate the USA's participation in the Confederations Cup.
It's time for the USA to return to Costa Rica, where the Americans have never won and never enjoyed the trip. The atmosphere at Saprissa is often electric and always volatile, and the matches have been mostly one-sided with the exception of the 1997 Hexagonal match (the best of the CR-USA matches in my opinion).
This Costa Rica side isn't as good as previous editions, but they're still good enough to hold their home field. Rodrigo Kenton has done an impressive job with the team since he replaced Hernán Medford, and Costa Rica gained confidence by dominating an easy semifinal group. Along the way, they found a goalscorer in Andy Furtado and a midfield leader in Walter Centeno. Kenton likes to play an attacking style, and I don't see why he won't do the same tomorrow night. He will have to worry about the yellow card situation, as 11 of his players will be suspended if they receive another caution.
I thought at the beginning of the Hexagonal that the USA might be able to take points from Saprissa. After their performance in El Salvador, I'm no longer sure about that, but at least the USA will arrive with something close to their first-choice players in goal and defense. I did say "close" - left-back contines to be a concern, and the injuries to Edu, Cherundolo, and Hejduk are a blow to the USA's hopes in the back and center of the field. There has been debate over what kind of formation Bradley will put on the field; will he play one forward or two? The USA will need the extra man in the center of the field to hold the ball, but they can't afford to sit back and try to absorb Costa Rican attacks. And as always, as Donovan goes, so will the USA in matches like these.
One more thing: those five players on a yellow card will have to watch their actions, and a difficult home match against Honduras in three days may force the USA to concede if they're too far behind late in the game.
This Costa Rican side is perhaps the weakest in two or three qualifying cycles, but it will still be difficult for the USA to earn points there. I'd like to be incorrect on this, but I see the winless streak in Costa Rica continuing for a few more years.
Comments