The Costa Rica men’s national soccer team will begin its 2020 campaign with a friendly against the United States.
The USMNT will host La Sele at 12:55 p.m. local time on Feb. 1 in Carson, Calif., near the city of Los Angeles. The match will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park, which seats 27,000.
“It’s important for us because 2020 will be a year of great importance for us,” said Rónald González, Costa Rica’s manager. “We can’t ignore an invitation from the United States for an event like this.”
In 2020, both Costa Rica and the United States will participate in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals and in September begin 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
“The chance to play against a likely World Cup qualifying opponent is fantastic,” USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. “As we continue to develop, it’s important to challenge our group against a variety of different opponents. At the end of a January Camp, we want the players to have a chance to put all the work to the test.”
Costa Rica and the United States are 16-16-5 through 37 games played all time. Most recently, the North Americans won a February 2019 friendly, though Costa Rica got the best of the USMNT in both 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.
González said he expects February’s roster to consist primarily of players from Costa Rica’s domestic league and Major League Soccer.
Tickets for the US-Costa Rica friendly will go on sale to the public Jan. 3 at ussoccer.com or by phone at +1 888-929-7849.
