The United States national team doesn’t have any time to lick its wounds over a tough defeat in Columbus to its primary rival, Mexico. Arguably the USA’s second most difficult fixture of the final round of World Cup qualifying is up next as Jurgen Klinsmann's side travels to Costa Rica to face a Ticos team that has not lost to the USA at home in a World Cup qualifying match.
Costa Rica was the surprise of the 2014 World Cup, winning a group that featured England, Italy and Uruguay and losing in the World Cup quarterfinals to the Netherlands on penalties. The Ticos haven’t quite managed to overtake the USA or Mexico in CONCACAF since, but they stand as the third-best side in the federation and are hard to deal with at home.
To open the Hexagonal, Costa Rica took care of business on the road in Trinidad and Tobago, as it handed the Soca Warriors a 2-0 defeat. It was a game that was lacking in quality chances, but Costa Rica took advantage of the Soca Warriors shaky defense and scored on a total defensive breakdown by the entire back line. Cordell Cato and Aubrey David failed to contain Cristian Gamboa down the right, and his cross found an unmarked Christian Bolanos for a tap in.
The Ticos then finished off the Soca Warriors by scoring off the counter in stoppage time as the Soca Warriors pushed unsuccessfully for an equalizer. This time Bolanos played provider as defender Ronald Matarrita bombed forward to finish off the contest.
HOW THEY LINED UP
Costa Rica came out in a 5-4-1, which could shift to a 3-6-1 on attack. The Ticos seemingly set to play a little conservative on the road, despite conventional wisdom saying they were stronger than Trinidad. They limited their press to short periods and after the goal, sat back, content to absorb pressure. They did surrender one good chance after taking the lead, but for the most part kept the Soca Warriors at arm’s length.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Ticos come out in that formation once more. There may be a few subsitutions though. Center back Francisco Calvo and veteran playmaker Bryan Ruiz both came off with injuries in the win over Trinidad. Ruiz would be a tough loss for the Ticos, but Joel Campbell, who started the Trinidad contest on the bench, could slide in on the flank or potentially up top if Costa Rica is willing to tweak the formation a bit.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
The Ticos were hesitant to attack hard and press too much, even against a Trinidad side that didn’t offer much threat. And that might have been the reason. The Soca Warriors were sitting back themselves and were unable to generate much of anything unless it came on the counterattack down the flank. Waston and the rest of the back line dealt with big striker Kenwyne Jones, leaving Trinidad toothless.
That said, the Ticos did press at times and may be more comfortable to do that at home against a USA side that has never won in Costa Rica. Pressing sides have given the USA problems in the past. Argentina completely overwhelmed the USA in the Copa America semifinals and Mexico kept the USA pinned in its own end early in Friday’s contest.
The Ticos pressed the USA hard when the teams met this past summer in the Copa America. It was a success for the first half-hour despite a 1-0 USA score line. However, the USA reverted to a 4-4-2 and hit a tiring Costa Rica side on the counter to make it 3-0 just before the half. The score line finished at 4-0.
While Jones was isolated, ineffective and not likely fully fit for Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, Bobby Wood should be for the USA on Tuesday. Wood won a penalty and scored a goal in the Copa America win, and while Clint Dempsey isn’t around to chip in for this contest, an in-form Jozy Altidore is.
Even though there wasn’t a ton of attack from T&T, when its wing backs did push forward, there was space in behind. Both Cordell Cato and Joevin Jones found room to work with down the flanks at times in the first half, with only Jones seeing much success in the second. Christian Pulisic, who is a far better player than Cato and is confident with the ball at his feet like Jones, could be in prime position to exploit this for the USA.
So even if it isn’t pretty, some direct soccer may be in order for the USA, especially if Costa Rica presses more than it did against the Soca Warriors.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Costa Rica’s breakthrough came with Gamboa breaking down the flank and Matarrita scored the Ticos second, so those wingbacks can certainly put pressure on the USA’s fullbacks, though Gamboa's 89th-minute yellow card mean he'll miss out on Tuesday's contest. Considering the issues DeAndre Yedlin and Timmy Chandler have had in the past, this will be something that could be an issue for the USA. But as noted earlier, their attacking prowess is balanced by some defensive liabilities, so there could be opportunities for the USA out wide as well.
Ruiz and Bolanos will be threats as wide midfielders, and if the USA does play a 4-4-2, they cut inside in an attempt to overload the central midfield duo, especially if Matarrita and probable Gamboa replacement Jose Salvatierra are comfortable providing the width.
Campbell began the opener on the bench. However he could start, either if Ruiz is unable to go or if he replaces Marcos Urena up top after the latter's ineffective performance against the Soca Warriors. If Campbell does start, either up top or on the flank, his movement and pace could be an issue for the USA center backs.