The United States clinched its spot in South Africa with a gritty 3-2 win at Honduras on Saturday while Costa Rica is now 3rd in the qualification table. The match has meaning for Costa Rica who can clinch their spot with a win while the USA can remain in first with a win. The match will be televised on ESPN2. Here’s a preview of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying match on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 match along with a prediction.
United States v Costa Rica Match Preview
CONCACAF 2010 World Cup Qualifying
20:00, 8:00 PM EST (local time)
RFK Stadium – Washington, DC
The United States got a tough win 3-2 win at Honduras and will have lots of confidence returning to play Costa Rica at home. Costa Rica had a easy 4-0 win against Trinidad & Tobago and can qualify if Honduras loses or they get a win against the USA.
Bob Bradley could change up his line-up but will probably stick with most of the regular starters as it will be one of the few competitive matches that team will have before next summer. Landon Donovan continues to be the team’s leader as he scored on a great free kick and assisted on one of the other goals. Conor Casey had a terrific match and proved that a player in form, even if playing in Major League Soccer, can be an effective choice for the National Team. The combination of a physical, target forward like Casey will probably again be matched up with Charlie Davies who provides more speed and skill. Tim Howard is undoubtedly the number 1 goalkeeper but with qualification guaranteed it could be a chance for back-up Brad Guzan to get some playing time. Overall, it’s unknown where Bradley will field his strongest team or give other players a chance.
Costa Rica has a roster of players in the Costa Rica league, MLS, and European divisions. They’ve qualified for the last two World Cups and within reach of a third. After round five, they were in the lead of the qualification table but lost three matches in a row. A win last Saturday put them ahead of Honduras heading into this last match day. Alvaro Saborio has been the main scoring threat for Costa Rica with four goals in qualification including two on Saturday. Does Costa Rica have enough to get their first road win of qualification?
Prediction – United States wins 2-1 – It could be a close match depending on who Bradley decides to play but the Americans are always tough at home. With no pressure, they will be able to play relaxed and beat a Costa Rica team that struggles on the road.
I wish you made a prediction without Davies, although the outcome was almost the same, despite Costa Rica leading most of the game. If it wasn’t for that corner kick in stoppage time we wouldve lost 2-1. But what I want to know now is without Charlie Davies speed and skill what kind of changes will we make for the world cup. Conner Casey and Josie Altedore are two big bodies and the lack of Davies set up and speed seemed to effect us vs Costa Rica.