World Cup Hexagonal Round Preview: Costa Rica vs. USAWho: United States vs. Costa RicaWhat: World Cup 2010 qualifying, CONCACAF final round
When: 8 p.m. Local Time, Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Where: Estadio Ricardo Saprissa; San Jose Costa Rica
TV: ESPN and Galavision
I have been concentrating on the development of other nations when I realized that the HEX is the biggest event in CONCACAF. Presently The Yanks sit atop the Hex point table with 7 points. They have had 2 home games which they won. Their away game was a lucky tie against El Salvador in San Salvador. The yanks realize the importance of this game and it is reiterated by their coach.
"We certainly view these two games as being very, very important," the American manager said. "We feel very strongly that we have a great opportunity now to really finish the first half of this round and put ourselves in good position as we go into the last five matches." There is no doubt that the yanks will focus on defensive first. They will be very hard to break down. I am looking for the hard tackling Pablo Mastroeni to team up with Michael Bradley in the middle. Pablo get the call here since Maurice Edu is injured and Pablo brings the experience.
They will need all the experience they can get since they have never beat Costa Rica in WCQ in Costa Rica Satrissa Stadium. The U.S. team has an all-time 0-5-1 record in World Cup qualifying. Six players -- Tim Howard, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, DaMarcus Beasley, Pablo Masteroni, and Brian Ching -- played in the last match on October 8, 2005, a 3-0 loss that was relatively meaningless for the U.S. squad that had already qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Bradley believes this experience will help the team. Saprissa Stadium is also has artificial turf and the game is much different on artificial.
Costa Rica is not underestimating the yanks. Defender Gonzalo Segares, plays in MLS for the Chicago Fire realizes that the Tico’s will have their hands full with the very fast counter attack the yanks will deploy. Forward Saborio was quoted in La National “They are the best team in the zone …..” realizes what they are up against.
All eyes in CONCACAF will be watching this game. They are the only game on since there is a scheduling issue with the yanks participating in the Confederations Cup this summer.
Out look
The Tico’s will take the play to the yanks and try to break down a very well organized defense. The tico’s will try crosses in the air to Saborio but Gooch in the middle w/ the aid of the Midfieldes helping out will shut the crosses down. Look for tico midfielders to go at Bradley and Pablo in the middle. Pablo is very susceptible to fouls in the middle and could get in trouble.
Look for the yanks to counter attack with gusto on either wing with Dempsey, Beasley or Donovan. Altidore is big and fast running at players. Ching is good at hold the ball up, shielding the ball and taking fouls to advance the team to foul spot. The yanks are the best CONCACAF team on set pieces and this is where the game is won or lost with the Ticos.
Result 1-1 draw ( if Pablo fouls out 2-1 ticos, if the yanks get a header 2-1 yanks).
Noah Davis claims this game starts at 6:00pm ET. That is 6:00pm Eastern Time? This is incorrect. Fifa has the game starting at 20:00 local time which is 8:00pm. Costa Rica is 2 hours behind Eastern Stardard time so the game is 10:pm Wednesday EST.
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1679/us-national-team/2009/06/01/1299445/world-cup-hexagonal-round-preview-costa-rica-vs-usa
Link for local time in costa Rica
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=225
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