PBP: United States vs Costa Rica; 09/01; 6:30pm ET

The game is meaningless in the sense that Iran had already clinched first place in the group even before its match the other day against South Korea. But saying its utterly meaningless is probably not accurate either. Iran would like to keep its record of not conceding a single goal in the final qualifying round of the World Cup, an achievement which Iran is proud of and wouldn't want to see tarnished. And while politically Iran is on Syria's side, when it comes to football, I think our interest is to make sure the best teams from our region represent the AFC in the World Cup. Besides, the game against Syria is our last match and it will be at home. I am sure we would not want to see our campaign end on a low note.

Even if Iran decided to really do Syria a favor, the most we would do for them is to try to give them a 0:0 draw to keep both our clean sheet record and undefeated record in tact. With a draw, Syria could still make the AFC fourth round/playoffs if the Uzbek lose to South Korea or even in case they merely draw (as long as they don't improve their goals scored record compared to Syria's).

But even if Syria make the AFC 4th round/playoffs, the chances that they will be the AFC playoff team against Concacaf are still slim. The most likely AFC team for the playoff against Concacaf will be Australia in my opinion. If Australia book a direct ticket to the World Cup instead, and Saudi Arabia become the Group B playoff team, the final AFC playoff team would be either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan. Historically, the Uzbeks have matched up reasonably well against the Saudis but Syria typically loses to them anyway. (Of course, and to be sure, if the Group A v Group B AFC 4th round match is between Syria and Saudi Arabia, all of Iran will be cheering for Syria. But it really wouldn't take a major upset for Syria to advance passed the Saudis while they have even less of a chance against Australia).

 

Costa Rica is a very good team. Fans should stop assuming that a win is the most likely outcome against them.

It's more realistic to say that it's going to be a close one.

They are #2 in CONCACAF for a reason

 

That does not make a loss to them any more acceptable. We should never lose at home period!!!.

 

Wondering where is the guy that was saying Bruce is a better coach than Osorio...


That Ream guy...

Could have been worse if Campbell was on the field.

Silva could have helped I think but we though Wondo was all we need for this easy conacacaf games.

 

Costa Rica is good but not better than us. They were without Campbell and Urena, a mediocre MLS forward at best, scored twice against us. Considering our recent record at home against them, this should've been a win.

 

Sorry but as of now, they are better. Better coached and slightly better technically. The US can beat them on any given night but technically and tactically, they narrowly edge the US

 

They were better on the day. Change a few players and that game would've ended differently.

 

Same can be said regarding them when they lose to the US... (Gold Cup)

#3 in CONCACAF is still good. The team needs to start playing like it if it wants to go to Russia

 

We will, unless our coach is stubborn and sticks do the same tactics and players.

 

It's all that MLS training that does the trick for them.....

 

What do you mean? They have MLS players but they also have players from their own league and overseas which constitutes the majority of the squad.

Is it MLS "training" (whatever that means) or the coach ability to best use the talents at his disposal that ultimately matters?

Oh and most of those players in MLS started in Costa Rica league, so I'd credit that league ahead of MLS.

 

For as bad as the US has played, it's really not time to panic yet. Our last two matches are home vs. Panama and away to Trinidad and Tobago so even if we lose to Honduras, we should still be 4th at worst. If we can get a point at Honduras, we should be all set to get through without a playoff.

 

You must think that they play at a higher level down there.

 

And we can do it without Mexico's help.

 

Very different style of play. As for who's higher...thats hard to determine.

MLS has better internationals than Costa Rica league but I'd argue that US domestics vs CR domestics is debatable at best. I found CR better technically with the ball than Americans.

Looking at CCL, CR puts way more of a fight against Mexican clubs than MLS

 

That's hilarious

 

Panama and Honduras will play to win. I expect Trinidad to park the bus for a draw

 

When was the last time a CR team made the final? We've done it twice in the last few years, while still in preseason form.

 

However, the group stage draw has been manipulated since 2012 (I think) to make sure that MLS clubs (Canadian clubs excluded) never meet Liga MX clubs. So CR got the bulk of their elimination at the hands of Mexican clubs.

Hence another reason why CCL is a joke.

 

Costa Rica has Ruiz, Borges and Bolaños, everybody else is average, Navas yeah, he is prob th best keeper in the world.

Again, we have to start bringing in players that can hold the ball, the whole tempo, physicality, pace or whatever mindset have to stay in the past, Costa Rica is not even a top 30 team and they dominated our center mid.

 

Population by national origin. When did New Mexico become a nation of its own?

 

Btw Ruiz and Bolaños aren't even in their prime anymore.

 

Costa Rica (21) and USA is (26) according to FIFA.

If in your opinion, Costa Rica isn't a top 30 team, than neither is the USA