On Wednesday, Costa Rica will play the United States in a friendly at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, marking their first international encounter of the year.
While the Yanks cruised to a 3-1 victory over Venezuela over the weekend, Los Ticos will be making their return to action after a long layoff following last November’s 2-2 draw with Panama, which ultimately led to their elimination from the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal match on aggregate.
The United States had a perfect start to 2025 with a resounding victory over Venezuela, thanks to their dominating play throughout the match.
Mauricio Pochettino relied on a youthful squad, and many of them made a big impression despite having just 4.8 caps between them. This is the third time since 2000 that the starting eleven for the United States men’s national team has had less than five appearances between them.
As in their previous seven games, the United States has scored eight goals in their last three competitive matches.
The men’s national team has enjoyed a perfect 6-0 record in Orlando over the years, with a cumulative scoring margin of 22-2 against its opponents.
If they win on Wednesday, it will be their greatest winning streak since they won six in a row to win the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Their current winning streak is four matches in all competitions.
In their last four matches against Costa Rica in the United States, they have won all four while registering three shutouts.
After finishing their Nations League campaign in November, Costa Rica’s attention will turn to getting ready for the next round of World Cup qualification in 2026.
The Central Americans have begun their qualification campaign with a perfect record, having scored seven goals and allowed only one.
Miguel Herrera, who took over as manager of the Mexican national team in 2015 after a 2-0 loss and a 2-2 draw in his previous two stints in charge, will be making his managerial debut on Wednesday.
After Gustavo Alfaro and Claudio Vivas—the latter of whom coached the men’s team for only six matches—Herrera becomes the third coach to take over since last summer’s Copa America.
Although they have failed to impress after losing in the Copa America group stage, Los Ticos have won five of their last six matches (1-0 against Panama).
Costa Rica last defeated the United States national team in a 2-0 victory at Red Bull Arena in September 2017. This week, they have a chance to win back-to-back games against the United States national team for the first time since 2013 and 2015. They also have a 2-0 victory from their last meeting in 2022 to add to their tally.
Due to injuries sustained by Jesus Ferreira and Jalen Neal as well as John Tolkin’s recent signing with German Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel, all three American players chosen for this camp withdrew from the squad immediately prior to the match versus Venezuela.
Matko Miljevic and Patrick Agyemang scored their first international goals over the weekend, and Jack McGlynn scored his first for the Yanks in just his second appearance for the national team. Eight US players earned their first caps with the national squad.
In his debut game in charge of Los Ticos, Herrera started 10 players without international experience. Among them were Randy Vega and Anthony Walker, who were both members of Herediano, the current winners of the Costa Rican Apertura.
Saprissa goalie Esteban Alvarado has 25 caps, which Herediano’s Allan Cruz can surpass on Wednesday. He also has more goals (two) than everyone else chosen for this window.
In the event that the United States national team chooses to start Jones, Moore, Miljevic, and Agyemang, the possible lineup consists of: Eneli, McGlynn, and Freese.
Costa Rica’s potential starting lineup: Alvarado in goal; Quiros, Faerron, and Van der Putten on defence; Suarez, Cruz, Bran, and Acuna in midfield; Sinclair and Campos on defence.
