Key PLAYERS
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J Arrieta
R Miller
R Wallace
Y Tejeda
M Barrantes
The GAMES
Sunday, Jul 21:
Costa Rica 0, Honduras 1
Tuesday, Jul 16:
Costa Rica 0, U.S. 1
Saturday, Jul 13:
Belize 0, Costa Rica 1
Tuesday, Jul 9:
Cuba 0, Costa Rica 3
More STORIES
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Bryan Ruiz: 'It Felt at Times Like We Were in Costa Rica'
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A Lack of Chemistry and Grit Led to Costa Rica Loss
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Jozy Altidore Sums It Up: "We Were Second Best"
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Howard, Ream & Cameron Take It on Chin in Ratings
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Horror in Harrison: Costa Rica Defeats U.S., 2-0
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ASN Morning Read: Hurry Up and Get Here, Friday
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Costa Rica Rematch: That Was Then, This Is Now
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ASN Morning Read: 26 Men Seeking Six Points
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Roster Prediction: 23 Names for the September Qualifiers
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Dempsey, Besler, & Bradley All Shine in Semifinal Win
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Clint Dempsey Comes to the Rescue, Lifts U.S. to 2-0 Win
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Why Are So Many MLS Clubs Signing Costa Ricans?
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Out with the Old, in With the...Significantly Older
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ASN Morning Read: So Much Yelling by Everyone
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ASN Morning Read: Time for a Change at U.S. Soccer?
Costa Rica
Michael Burns/isiphotos.com
BY MATT FISCHER
Costa Rica is the third-most successful country in CONCACAF behind Mexico and the United States, although the current crop is hardly the strongest unit. The country reached two of the last three World Cups, has won three regional championships—although none since 1989—and reached the quarterfinal of Copa America in 2001 and 2004. La Sele (The Selection) finished second in Group B of the semifinal round, losing twice to Mexico and drawing with El Salvador at home, but defeating Guyana twice and winning in San Salvador.
Costa Rica is the third-most successful country in CONCACAF behind Mexico and the United States, although the current crop is hardly the strongest unit. The country reached two of the last three World Cups, has won three regional championships—although none since 1989—and reached the quarterfinal of Copa America in 2001 and 2004. La Sele (The Selection) finished second in Group B of the semifinal round, losing twice to Mexico and drawing with El Salvador at home, but defeating Guyana twice and winning in San Salvador.
The team boasts a potentially potent attacking threat in Real Salt Lake's Alvaro Saborio, who leads CONCACAF in goals scored during World Cup qualification. Realistically, the team will likely aim to finish behind the United States in Group C but ahead of Belize and Cuba. If the knockout round falls right, the country could reach the semifinals and possibly make a surprise appearance in the final.
The COACH
The TACTICS
The HISTORY
The Coach
Jorge Luis Pinto is back for his second stint with the Costa Rican national team. His first go-round ended in failure as Costa Rica started qualification for the 2006 World Cup poorly and Alexandre Guimares replaced Pinto. But the man who took Costa Rican club side Alajuelense to first division titles in 2002 and 2003 is back again, having taken over over for Ricardo La Volpe in September 2011. Pinto also previously helmed his home country, failing to lead Colombia to the 2010 World Cup, and won the Venezuelan First Division with Deportivo Tachira during the 2010-2011 season. Costa Rica lost 1-0 to Brazil in the new manager's first match in charge, but he guided the team to a second place spot in the Hexagonal and has it looking good heading into the Gold Cup.The Tactics
If you think this Costa Rican team will ease through the group stage the virtue of past strength in the region, think again. As a footballing power, Costa Rica has been gradually waning since winning the Hexagonal in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup. The Ticos did make the 2006 World Cup in a down year for CONCACAF, but finished fourth last time around and failed to get past Uruguay in a play-in. This version of Costa Rica shouldn’t really be considered a power, even by Central American standards. After winning three straight Copa Centroamericana tournaments, the Ticos have gone without a title since 2007, and have been supplanted by Honduras and, some would argue, Panama, as the power of the region. Colombian Coach Luis Pinto’s side plays an often-scrambled attacking style, relying on individual playmaking to create danger, a plan which all too often has failed completely. There’s talent enough in an aging-but-veteran side to cause problems for any team in the Hex, but Pinto may need to begin to infuse some young talent–especially the likes of Real Betis striker Joel Campbell–for inspiration.The History
Costa Rica boasts one of the strongest non-United States, non-Mexico traditions at the Gold Cup. While Canada and Honduras have posted better finishes, Costa Rica's five appearances in the semifinal round is superior. Its best finish came in 2002 when the team lost to the U.S. 2-0 in the final but the country's squad also tied for third in 1993 and lost the third-place match in 1991 and 2003. 2009 saw another strong result with Costa Rica reaching the semifinals before falling to Mexico. Costa Rica also had success before the advent of the Gold Cup, winning seven of the 10 Confederación Centroamericana y del Caribe de Fútbol championships contested between 1941 and 1961 ('41, ’46, ’48, ’53, ’55, ’60, ’61). It also was victorious in the 1969 CONCACAF Championship and again in 1989. CONCACAF Gold Cup Results 1991 – Fourth place1993 – Third place
1996 – DNQ
1998 – Eliminated in first round
2000 – Eliminated in quarterfinals
2002 – Second place
2003 – Fourth place
2005 – Eliminated in quarterfinals
2007 – Eliminated in quarterfinals
2009 – Tied for third place
2011 – Eliminated in quarterfinals
