USA are all set to lock heads against Costa Rica in the Centenario Copa America Group A clash at Soldier Field, Chicago.
Head To Head Statistics
July 16, 2013 – USA 1, Costa Rica 0
September 6, 2013 – USA 1, Costa Rica 3
October 13, 2015 – USA 0, Costa Rica 1
Both USA and Costa Rica failed to win their opening matches as the host nation lost to Colombia 2-0, while Costa Rica were forced to settle for a goalless draw against Paraguay.
USA lost to Colombia 2-0 in their opening match whereas Cost Rica were held by Paraguay in a goalless draw. Both the teams will look forward to secure a win which would give them a chance to qualify for the knock-out stage.
United States forward Clint Dempsey believes that the clash against Paraguay to be crucial after their defeat against Colomboia in the previous match.
“It’s a must-win situation, backs against the wall,’’said Dempsey.
“It’s going to be a difficult game. They know they got a result that puts them in position to get out of the group.
“And for us, it’s a must-win. So it’s going to be a difficult challenge.
“They’ve shown in major competitions that they can perform well, like they did last World Cup.
“We’re on home soil. We got to bring it,” he concluded.
After a draw against Paraguay in their opening game, Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez believes that Tuesday’s game will be a lot more different and he is confident that his boys have potential to adapt to the situation.
“I think the game is going to be a little bit more of a soccer-type of match,’’said the Costa Rica Coach Ramirez.
“We have 23 people in the selection for these type of situations, and we have to adapt.
“I think the boys have a certain level that they know they’re going to be able to manage, it’s an experience for us,” he concluded.
A loss for USA in Tuesday’s match will definitely crush their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stage. However a defeat for Costa Rica will still keep them in the competition but at the bottom of the group with only one point to their name.
Team News
USA
Possible XI: Guzan; Johnson, Cameron, Brooks, Yedlin; Bradley, Beckerman, Jones; Zardes, Dempsey, Wood.
Costa Rica
Possible XI: Pemberton; Matarrita, Acosta, Duarte, Umana, Gamboa; Borges, Tejeda, Ruiz; Campbell, Urena.