The U.S Men’s National Team (USA) will look to bounce back against Costa Rica after failing to beat Mexico on Saturday.
By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Men’s National Team has struggled to match past success in recent matches but will be given a chance to shine on Tuesday night at Red Bull Arena against Costa Rica.
It is beneficial for the country’s international stars to have an opportunity to bounce back so soon after a key loss to Mexico. However, winning a friendly against Costa Rica is not going to make fans forget about the overtime loss to the nation’s rivals. With important players Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey heading back to their respective MLS clubs, the U.S. may struggle against a good Costa Rican Side.
Mexico was able to outlast the United States in an overtime battle for a place in the Confederations Cup and there were few positives for Jurgen Klinsmann to take away from this disappointment. Expect there to be multiple lineup changes for the U.S. in Tuesday’s friendly.
Five new players have been added to the roster, four of them from the MLS:
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan, Bill Hamid, Tim Howard.
DEFENDERS: Ventura Alvarado, Geoff Cameron, Brad Evans, Fabian Johnson, Michael Orozco, Tim Ream, Jonathan Spector.
MIDFIELDERS: Alejandro Bedoya, Mix Diskerud, Jermaine Jones, Lee Nguyen, Brek Shea, Danny Williams, DeAndre Yedlin.
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood, Andrew Wooten, Gyasi Zardes.
Klinsmann has brought in Hamid, Diskerud, Nguyen, and Shea from the MLS, and forward Andrew Wooten from the German second division to replace Nick Rimando, Demarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, Graham Zusi, Clint Dempsey, and Chris Wondolowski.
Some notable players have departed the camp but fresh faces could have the U.S. playing more attacking-minded against Costa Rica. Expect forward Bobby Wood, who scored against Mexico on Saturday, to cause some problems for the Costa Rican defense.
Costa Rica burst onto the scene in the 2014 FIFA World Cup where they finished in the Quarter Finals. They have slowed down since but still pose a big threat to the U.S. and posses great attacking ability.
Head Coach Oscar Ramirez will carry a relatively strong roster for Tuesday’s friendly with stars Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Cristian Gamboa (West Bromwich Albion), and Joel Campbell (Arsenal) all making the trip.
GOALKEEPERS: Esteban Alvarado, Keylor Navas, Patrick Pemberton.
DEFENDERS: Johnny Acosta, Francisco Calvo, Óscar Duarte, Cristian Gamboa, Ronald Matarrita, Dave Myrie, Bryan Oviedo, Kendall Waston.
MIDFIELDERS: Elías Aguila, Celso Borges, Mauricio Castillo, Óscar Esteban Granados, David Guzmán, Luis Miguel Valle.
FORWARDS: Joel Campbell, Daniel Colindres, Marco Ureña, Deyver Vega, Johan Venegas.
MATCH INFO:
6:30 PM ET at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
Televised on ESPN
