When two of CONCACAF's giants collide, great football can be expected. And when the USMNT and Costa Rica take the pitch, fans will witness two of the region's teams trying to find stability before the World Cup Qualifiers start in November.
The USMNT will try to save face in front of their home crowd after losing the CONCACAF Cup against Mexico, with Jurgen Klinsmann facing pressure for his team's recent performances this year. Sources have indicated the German coach could be sacked before the start of the World Cup Qualifiers, since some members of the U.S. Soccer Federation are growing tired of the team's lack of success.
Klinsmann decided to make eight changes in his squad, leaving Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi and Nick Rimando out of the game against Los Ticos. Mix Diskerud, Lee Nguyen, Brek Shea, Andrew Wooten and Bill Hamid are the players who will have a chance to earn a regular spot in the team's roster for the upcoming games.
On the other hand, Costa Rica keeps trying to find their feet after Paulo Wanchope's sacking last month. Newly appointed coach Oscar Ramirez is still making changes that fit his philosophy, while trying to find a suitable replacement for veteran Bryan Ruiz, who did not play the team's previous friendly against Costa Rica.
Nevertheless, Costa Rica will have one of their icons ready to play when Keylor Navas steps up once more to play for them. After missing out the previous International games to solve his contract situation with Real Madrid, the shot-stopper has performed brilliantly for Los Blancos this season, and his antics could prove useful for Costa Rica to find their feet prior to November's qualifiers.
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