Costa Rica

Page by: Dominic Elzner. Apr 2016.

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“Los Ticos”

Current FIFA Ranking: 25

Copa America Record: Four appearances; made quarterfinals in 2001 and 2004

Manager: Oscar Ramírez

Overview

Costa Rica, the strongest CONCACAF team, enters the Copa America as the second highest ranked team—25th in the world—in Group A, but they are far from favorites. Being in the “group of death”, they are placed with fourth ranked Colombia, 29th ranked United States, and 39th ranked Paraguay, leaving this group to be wide open. However, Costa Rica is still confident. They are one of only two teams with a winning record against the United States, with a record of 14-13-6., and they are currently at the top of their group in World Cup Qualifying, over teams like Panama, Haiti, and Jamaica.

National Narrative

Costa Rica is no stranger to a “group of death”. In the 2014 World Cup, Los Ticos were matched up with England, Italy, and Uruguay—teams that have all won the World Cup before. Costa Rica had never even made it to the quarterfinals, as their best finish was advancing to the knockout stage at the 1990 World Cup. However, that would all change.

After hearing the draw, assistant coach Paulo Wanchope was surprised. “I was almost in shock when it was made,” he said. “I knew it was going to be a difficult group, but not THAT difficult.” Captain Bryan Ruiz told teams in an interview to not write off Costa Rica. He didn’t want to be at the bottom of the group.

In their first match of the World Cup, they were matched up against Uruguay. They fell behind quickly, thanks to a penalty in the opening half. However, Los Ticos stormed back, scoring two quick goals to go up 2-1, and would eventually add on another goal to make it 3-1. In their next match, they faced off against Italy—one of the favorites to win the World Cup. With the score 0-0, captain Bryan Ruiz put the team on his shoulders, and scored the only goal of the game on a header. Just like that, Los Ticos slayed two giants in a row. After a 0-0 draw with England, they won their group and advanced to the knockout round.

In the first round, Costa Rica was matched up against Greece. Ruiz scored and things were looking bright. However, after defender Oscar Duarte was shown his second yellow card, things went dark. Greece scored, and the game went into extra time, and eventually penalty kicks. After nine penalty takers scored, goalkeeper Keylor Navas stopped won, and Los Ticos advanced. The dream ended in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands, when Costa Rica played the Dutch to a draw, and lost in penalty shootouts.

Today, many people see their run as a fluke. They have historically struggled at lesser tournaments, such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and they want to prove that their World Cup run was no fluke. In 2015, Costa Rica could not muster up a win in the Gold Cup, but tied with Jamaica, El Salvador, and Canada to advance to the knockout stage. However, they were quickly defeated by Mexico, the eventual champions, in the quarterfinals (first game of the knockout stage). Costa Ricans see this as a bad draw. Others see this as what the team truly is. Only time will tell, but the Copa America will be a good indicator.

Players to Watch

Bryan Ruiz

• Club: Sporting CP
• National Caps: 86
• Goals: 20

Ruiz hasn’t always been at Sporting LC. Beofre there, he was on Fulham;’s roster. While there, Ruiz struggled. In the 2014-2015 season, Ruiz appeared in 32 matches for the club, and could only manage four goals and three assists. As a result, he was transferred to Sporting LC. As he arrived, he wanted to prove himself and he has, scoring six goals in 10 appearances to go along with two assists. Look for his hot streak to continue in the Copa America.

Internationally, Ruiz is one of Costa Rica’s most important players. In the 2014 World Cup, Costa Rica defeated Italy and Uraguay in the group stage. Ruiz played a critical role against Italy, scoring the only goal of the match3 by heading the ball into the net. In the knockout stage, Costa Rica defeated Greece in the first round—with help from a goal by Ruiz.

Álvaro Saborío

• Club: D.C. United
• National Caps: 105
• Goals: 35

Saborío has been one of the most consistent scoring presences over the last half decade in the MLS, but has been on a bit of a decline over the past two seasons. He started his MLS career scoring at least 11 goals in four-consecutive seasons, and was a big impact on why Real Salt Make made the playoffs every year he was there. However, he scored just 15 goals over the next two seasons, and was traded to D.C. United on July 16, 2015. And he has come alive for D.C United, scoring seven goals in 20 appearances since joining the team.

In international play, Saborío has been one of Costa Rica’s most important players. Although he sat out due to injury during their run in the 2014 World Cup, he was a key component to get Costa Rica to even qualify for the World Cup. In 12 appearances, he had 3 goals and 1 assist while taking pressure off of his teammates.

Works Cited