Costa Rica falters late, falls to the United States, 2-0

A late goal and an assist from Sebastian Lletget proved all the scoring the United States needed to defeat Costa Rica, 2-0, in an international friendly Saturday afternoon.

Lletget headed home a Jonathan Lewis cross to break an 80-minute deadlock at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California.

¡Nos anota USA! Sebastian Lletget pone arriba en el marcador al cuadro norteamericano #LaSele pic.twitter.com/LKfqw3uWbC

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) February 2, 2019

In the 88th minute, Lletget set up Paul Arriola as the United States secured its second win in as many games under new head coach Gregg Berhalter, while Costa Rica lost its first with Gustavo Matosas.

¡Golazo de Estados Unidos! Arriola pone el segundo para #USA pic.twitter.com/SkwMXgFaJf

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) February 2, 2019

After a slow first 45 minutes, the United States imposed its will on La Sele.

The United States nearly took advantage of Costa Rica’s aggressive pressing early in the second half with a counterattack in the 51st minute, but Cristian Roldan missed the net from inside the box.

¡Se estrelló en el palo! Estados Unidos muy cómodo jugando por las bandas. #LaSele pic.twitter.com/stEHgd7GYj

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) February 2, 2019

Four minutes later, Nick Lima — playing at his home stadium — beat goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado but hit the post with a right-footed shot.

¡Se estrelló en el palo! Estados Unidos muy cómodo jugando por las bandas. #LaSele pic.twitter.com/stEHgd7GYj

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) February 2, 2019

The post saved Costa Rica again in the 68th minute when Roldan blasted a shot from outside the 18-yard box.

¡Una más al poste! Estados Unidos con todo en este segundo tiempo. #LaSele 🇨🇷 pic.twitter.com/K089ULAczM

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) February 2, 2019

But Costa Rica’s luck ran out late as Lletget and Arriola picked apart La Sele‘s defense.

Both coaches fielded youth-laden, local rosters, as the game was not played on an official FIFA match date.

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