The FIFA rankings for July are expected Thursday, and Costa Rica's national men's football team is expected to drop 27 spots, putting an official tarnish on its historic 2014 campaign.
A Costa Rican side that boasted a stingy defense in that miraculous World Cup performance has been unrecognizable ever since, and mounting injuries force a new group of players into the spotlight at the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) championships.
Chile defeated Argentina on penalties to end its 99-year wait for a Copa América crown and condemn Lionel Messi to a second straight heartbreak in a major international final.
It wasn't a red card that was threatening Costa Rica's chances in Saturday's men's national team match against Mexico, but a green card issue that could have kept some star players sidelined for the friendly in Orlando, Florida.
Remember back in March when we announced that our beloved Sloth Kong was taking over Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría International Airport? Well, it turns out that the hospitality offered to big SK at his new digs has been overwhelming. Hundreds – perhaps thousands – of travelers passing through Costa Rica's busiest air hub have stopped to snap their photo with Sloth Kong.
Costa Rica was close, they tried hard, but their efforts fell short as a late goal by Brazil’s Raquel Fernandes just seven minutes to the end stopped short the Women's National Team’s dream of advancing to the round of 16 on its first participation in a FIFA World Cup.
