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Changes in store U.S. plays Costa Rica facing possible drop to fourth
Updated: Wednesday September 05, 2001 3:28 PM
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) -- In the United States, American soccer fans are outnumbered. The margin won't be even close Wednesday night, when the U.S. team plays Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier (10 p.m. EDT; ESPN2). Shocked by Honduras on Saturday in Washington, the United States (4-2-1) trails Costa Rica (5-1-1) by three points in the six-nation finals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region. Upon his arrival Tuesday night, U.S. head coach Bruce Arena lavished praise on the Costa Rican fans. While U.S. fans were outnumbered by Honduran fans at RFK Stadium last weekend, the Costa Ricans will fill Saprissa Stadium on Wednesday night. "If we had a venue like that, or a passion or support for the team, it would be a real plus for us," Arena said. "That's something that one day well probably have in the U.S. My grandchildren will experience it." The Americans need three points or possibly four to qualify for next year's tournament, and are confident they can get them, especially with a home game remaining against Jamaica (2-3-2) and a road match at Trinidad and Tobago (0-6-1). Arena said a loss would lead put pressure on the Americans, saying it "would maybe put us in the position where we had to get six out of the last six" points to qualify.
The Americans practiced Tuesday in Virginia, then traveled to the Costa Rican capital, which was drenched by a tropical thunderstorm before their arrival. More storms were forecast for Wednesday night. Costa Rica would clinch one of the region's three World Cup berths with a victory Wednesday night. "We've almost got the ticket now," Costa Rican head coach Alexandre Guimaraes said Monday. "Now we're going for the other goal, which is to finish the round in first place by beating on Wednesday the only team we haven't defeated in this stage: the United States." The Americans are 0-4-1 in World Cup qualifiers in Costa Rica, losing 2-1 in last year's semifinals on a last-minute penalty kick. But streaks haven't counted for much in World Cup qualifying lately. Costa Rica stopped Mexico's 20-year home unbeaten streak in June, Mexico ended Jamaica's seven-year run at home Sunday and Honduras ended the United States' 16-year, 19-game unbeaten streak at home in qualifying with a 3-2 win. "Who would ever bet that the away teams are winning as many games as they are in this competition? That's pretty strange," Arena said. Arena said he hoped to keep Costa Rica from clinching, partly because it would mean they have something to play for in its next game, against Mexico. The U.S. team, which leads Honduras (3-2-2) by two points and Mexico (3-3-1) by three, had multiple defensive breakdowns at RFK Stadium. Arena promised "a couple of changes" but wouldn't give specifics. "Anyone can come up after that game, and there could be a clear argument why you could make four or five changes," Arena said. "You could single out everyone in the back and a couple of the midfield and other spots. We're not overreacting, but there are a couple of adjustments we could make that could make us better for this game." Arena said he expected a typical game at Saprissa Stadium -- with a howling, intimidating crowd very close to the field. "I think it's a difficult venue to play in," Arena said, comparing it to Mexico's advantage at Azteca Stadium. "You're playing against a good team in a difficult environment. ... The referees are generally intimidated as well." The stadium also is noted for a frequent lack of fan control. "I'm sure I'll get hit with something tomorrow," Arena said. Costa Rica enters with its regular lineup almost intact, missing only defender Jervis Drummond, suspended due to two yellow cards. The U.S. team was missing several regulars, notably midfielder Claudio Reyna and forwards Clint Mathis, Brian McBride and Josh Wolff.
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