'A new chapter'

Upstart Costa Rica stands between Mexico and final

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico, which is brimming with confidence after hammering Jamaica, faces an upset-minded Costa Rica in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Thursday.

Mexico has long been considered the best team in the region, expected to win the Gold Cup and any other tournament pitting teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

But the Mexicans now face strong competition from several rising stars, particularly the United States and Costa Rica. The Americans took the Gold Cup last year, and the last time Mexico won the tournament was in 1998.

In the last World Cup qualifying campaign, Costa Rica's "Ticos" shocked Mexico 2-1 in Mexico City. Thursday's match will be played in the Mexican capital's Azteca Stadium, the site of Costa Rica's unlikely victory two years ago.

"Now there is a lot more competition in the CONCACAF," Costa Rica coach Steve Sampson said. "My players saw what they can do in that last historic encounter."

Both Mexico and Costa Rica banged in five goals in their Gold Cup quarterfinal matches, with Mexico crushing Jamaica 5-0 and the Ticos defeating El Salvador 5-2.

Mexico's victory against the "Reggae Boyz" included scores from five different players, many of them up-and-coming young players. Midfielder Juan Pablo Rodriguez provided the most-exciting goal on the day, scoring off a spectacular 30-meter (yard) blast in the 80th minute.

The victory revived the hopes of Mexican fans, who were disappointed by a scoreless draw against Honduras and a tense 1-0 victory over Brazil in the first round.

The win over Jamaica also temporarily quieted a mountain of criticism against Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe, whose team has struggled on offense since he took over after last year's World Cup.

"Mexico is growing and gaining confidence in the tournament," Costa Rica forward Rolando Fonseca said. "Costa Rica is growing as well."

One weapon Mexico has in its Gold Cup arsenal for the first time is center defender Rafael Marquez, who returns to play after a three-match suspension he earned for committing a foul in a match against the United States during the World Cup.

It will be Marquez's first game with the national team since he signed for Spanish giant FC Barcelona, which has been home to some of soccer's greatest stars.

"We have to earn some respect ...," Marquez said. "We have to start a new chapter."

Costa Rican defenders will also have to watch out for Mexican forward Jared Borgetti, who used his head to push in goals against Jamaica and Brazil in the Gold Cup so far.

"[Thursday's match] is not a question of revenge, it's an opportunity to get rid of the thorn in our side from the last match," Borgetti said.

The winner of Thursday's semifinal will meet the winner of a match between Brazil and the United States that will be played in Miami on Wednesday. The Gold Cup final will be played at Azteca on Sunday.

 

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