Fans of the Costa Rican national team built an electric atmosphere at the Estadio Nacional last Friday.
The impressive Tico crowd welcomed the U.S. men’s team with rowdy chants and boisterous support for the home team. In the end, Costa Rica got revenge for the snow game last March in Denver, Colorado. La Sele thrashed the United States, 3-1, in a crucial World Cup qualifying match. The win moved Costa Rica atop the Concacaf regional standings, and one step closer to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
There was no snow in this rematch between Costa Rica and the U.S., but there still were plenty of stunning images.
THE PRE-GAME
The Tico Times attended the final warm-up for the U.S. men’s team. A big thanks to US Soccer for being so accommodating (while certainly other organizations were not so friendly).
U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley walks off the bus for practice Thursday at the National Stadium. Bradley injured his ankle in pre-game warm-ups and missed the Costa Rica match. The star midfielder also is out for Tuesday’s match against Mexico.
Lindsay Fendt
U.S. goalkeeper Nick Rimando warms up with a coach at practice Thursday.
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U.S. Soccer Coach Jürgen Klinsmann talks to the press before practice Thursday.
Lindsay Fendt
THE FANS
Thousands of Costa Ricans showed their colors. So did many Gringos. (And they both share the same colors). Most United Stats supporters, known as American Outlaws, were easy to identify. The Outlaws section, ironically, received police protection on all sides from neon-clad officers. Tico fans, meanwhile, went wild as La Sele boasted a decisive victory.
Carlos Arias Muñoz, 71, is a fanatic of “La Sele,” Costa Rica’s national football team. He has been driving a cab for 53 years, and decided to deck out his car in Costa Rican flags for Friday’s game against the U.S.
Lindsay Fendt
Costa Rica fans go crazy after “La Sele,” as the national team is known, scores their first goal last Friday.
Lindsay Fendt
Supporters of the United States cheer their team before the start of the match against Costa Rica.
AFP
Costa Rica fans put up their hands during a U.S. penalty kick.
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A U.S. fan yells out after a foul is called.
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A U.S. soccer fan makes his way into the U.S. fan section guarded by police.
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A U.S. soccer fan cheers on his team with an Amercan flag bandana.
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The crowd celebrates Costa Rica’s third and final goal in the world cup qualifying match against the U.S. Costa Rica won 3-1 moving them to first place in the region.
Lindsay Fendt
THE GAME
On the pitch, Costa Rica jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes and never looked back. A Clint Dempsey penalty kick moved the visitors to back within one goal, and the Stars and Stripes had several chances to tie the game. With 20 minutes remaining, La Sele’s Joel Campbell turned on his jets to race past the U.S. defense and score the final goal of the game.
Christian Gamboa #16 of Costa Rica and Jermaine Jones #13 of the United States battle for the ball.
AFP
Footballer Geoffrey Cameron of the United States trips while going after the ball.
AFP
Johnny Acosta #2 celebrates scoring the first goal against the United States with Christian Gamboa #16 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at Estadio Nacional on Friday in San José. Costa Rica schooled the U.S. team 3-1. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
Costa Rican player Joel Campbell celebrates after scoring against the United States.
AFP
CUANDO NO HAY NIEVE
When there’s no snow…
AFP
NO HAY PROBLEMA
Costa Rican footballers celebrate after defeating the United States, 3-1.
AFP
La Sele celebrates their victory of the United States. The Costa Rican squad travels to Jamaica for a Tuesday night match. If the Ticos win, they’ll be the first team in the region (Concacaf) to clinch a spot in the World Cup. Via @bryanruizcr
Costa Rican could book a ticket to Brazil with a victory Tuesday night in Jamaica.
Tuesday’s Fixtures:
At Kingston
Jamaica v Costa Rica 8 p.m.
At Columbus, Ohio
United States v Mexico 8 p.m.
At Tegucigalpa
Honduras v Panama 9 p.m.
Concacaf Standings (W-L-D; 3 matches remain)
Costa Rica 4-1-2 14 points
United States 4-2-1 13 points
Honduras 3-3-1 10 points
Mexico 1-1-5 8 points
Panama 1-2-4 7 points
Jamaica 0-4-3 3 points
(Top 3 teams advance to World Cup; 4th team plays New Zealand for berth)
