Costa Rica held steady at 34th in the latest FIFA World Rankings released Thursday. Costa Rica's three opponents, in a ferocious Group D, are now all ranked within the top 11. Costa Rica, however, is no longer the highest ranked team in Central America after Honduras (32nd) jumped the Ticos in the rankings.
Thieves stole personal documents, an iPad, cash and other items from the car of Jorge Luis Pinto, the head coach of Costa Rica's national team, in the capital on Monday night.
In the past week: 16 deaths, eight people injured, 118 arrests, and seizure of 24 grenades, two machine guns, 100 pistols and rifles, assorted bullets, and more than 1,000 tons of marijuana, cocaine and crack.
Japan completed a magnificent Under-17 Women's World Cup run with a, 2-0, victory over Spain in the championship at the National Stadium in west San José on Friday evening. Japan dominated the tournament, scoring 23 goals and allowing only one in the World Cup
President Laura Chinchilla declared that Friday would be a holiday for public employees as long as they spend their day off watching some World Cup action.
Elated by what's been considered a successfully run Under-17 Women's World Cup, the head of the Costa Rican Football Federation (Fedefut) said he wants to organize next a lower-level men's World Cup championship.
ESPN commentator Ian Darke, who is awesome, and responsible for a pair of the most exciting calls in U.S. soccer history, also has some comedy chops it appears.
Japan and Spain will face off in the world championship Friday at 5 p.m. in the National Stadium, in west San José. Venezuela and Italy will play for third place in the stadium at 2 p.m. If you would like to see a World Cup title match, tickets are available through FIFA's website, and cost as little as $6.
