The United States will face Gold Cup foe Costa Rica in a crucial CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier Friday evening. Costa Rica is currently second in World Cup qualifying, three points ahead of the USMNT. Los Ticos will look to lock up 2nd place in the Hex and avenge a recent 2-0 Gold Cup semifinal loss to the USMNT. Costa Rica enters the match with a 3-1-1 record in its last five matches, with their all-time record against the USMNT being dead even at 15-15-5.
Costa Rica Roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Leonel Moreira (Herediano), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Keylor Navas (Real Madrid)
Defenders (9): Johnny Acosta (Herediano), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United FC), Cristian Gamboa (Celtic FC), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Bologna), Kenner Gutierrez (Alajuelense), Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland), Jose Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Michael Umana (Pars Jonoubi), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Midfielders (8): Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Cristian Bolanos (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruña), David Guzman (Portland Timbers), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Yeltsin Tejeda (Lausanne-Sport), Johan Venegas (Minnesota United FC), Rodney Wallace (New York City FC)
Forwards (4): Daniel Colindres (Saprissa), Jose Ortiz (Herediano), David Ramirez (Saprissa), Marco Urena (San Jose Earthquakes)
Costa Rica has many talented players, but will be hurt by the absence of dynamic winger Joel Campbell.