Preview: Costa Ricans await the USMNT in a match that will not have any snow
The last time these two countries met in a World Cup Qualification match, viewers watching the match were left to wonder how FIFA even allowed the match to be played. And while some will say that the venue of the match was selected to be an advantage for the USMNT, others may disagree with that statement.
That snowy night left all of the Costa Rican National Team unhappy, as were their fans. On Friday, they will get a chance to set things straight in a match that will have a lot of tension.
USMNT manager Jürgen Klinsmann knows how important their next match is, and having nine players going into the match with a potential second yellow card hanging over their heads, he has taken the appropriate precautions.
"We know that the problem is we'll be having nine players going into that game with yellow cards, so anything can happen after that game," Klinsmann said when speaking to the US Soccer official website.
"This is probably the biggest game in the year 2013 coming in Costa Rica. We want to win there for the first time ever in World Cup Qualifying, and we want to get as close as possible to Brazil."
The crowd at the Estadio Nacional is going to create a very hostile environment for the Americans, which can make a difficult task even harder to overcome.
Costa Rica's record at home has been impressive, defeating Jamaica, Honduras and Panama. A perfect 3-0-0 record will be put to the test, as will their zero goals conceded on their home ground.
Los Ticos will be fired up after having to play through extreme conditions in their first meeting. This time around, they will also have to worry about the returning Landon Donovan, after a one year exile that was handed down by Klinsmann.
Donovan will offer the Americans an injection of experience, along with his all-time leading goals scored (56) and assists (57).
The Los Angeles Galaxy forward got his chance to earn his spot during the Gold Cup, and with this call up, it seems as if Klinsmann is ready to have him help guide the Yanks to Brazil.
With the possibility of clinching qualification in their next two matches, Klinsmann's squad will need to be fully focused to avoid a complete meltdown. If they are unable to get past Jorge Luis Pinto's squad on Friday, they will have to regroup quickly, knowing that Mexico will be waiting for them in Columbus.
Costa Rica's current form has them two points behind the USA, but after Friday, all of that can change. Anything other than a defeat for Costa Rica would be beneficial, as one point will guarantee them second place for the time being, regardless of how Mexico does in their match against Honduras.
A victory for Los Ticos would really put them in the driving seat, but the full three points for the USMNT would nearly seal the deal.
Three points on Friday for Donovan and his teammates would open up a six point gap between them and second place, with three matches remaining. Barring a complete disaster, as long as the USMNT does not lose any of their next two matches, they could probably book their flight and hotel to Brazil by next week.
Where to watch the match - live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Costa Rica vs USA live on Friday, September 6, 2013:
In the USA at 22:00 ET on: beIN Sport Play, beIN Sport USA, SiriusXM FC (Radio)
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Subscribe to beIN Sport via DishWorld, and watch it online, on your tablet, PC/Mac or on your TV via Roku.
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Viewers in select African countries can follow the action on Al Jazeera Sport +4. For full TV schedules and match coverage, visit the Costa Rica vs USA match page.
