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Costa Rica announce Estadio Nacional as venue for match vs. USMNT

EstadioNacionalCostaRica1 (Diez.hn)

By DAN KARELL

The U.S. Men’s National Team and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann were given good news on Thursday when they found out they won’t have to play in the dreaded Estadio Saprissa on September 6 when they face Costa Rica.

In an announcement on their website, the Costa Rican Football Federation said that due to construction at the stadium locally known as “The Monster’s Cave,” they decided to schedule the upcoming match against the United States at the all-grass field of the Estadio Nacional.

Rumors had persisted all spring that as revenge for the “Snow Game” last March in Denver that Costa Rica lost to the U.S., 1-0, the Costa Rican Federation would put the return match on the rock-hard turf of Saprissa. The last time the U.S. played Costa Rica at Saprissa, they fell to the hosts, 3-1, and couldn’t adjust to the playing surface.

What do you make of this news? Are you relieved? Do you see Costa Rica providing a quality atmosphere even at the Estadio Nacional? Do you believe the U.S. has a better chance of picking up three points?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. HAHAHAHA…. HAHAHAHA

    It is so funny to read this many comments, so optimistic because of the change…

    Let me remind you a few facts. The US has NEVER won in Costa Rica in a qualifying game, we have got better results in the US than you have done here. Every time the US comes here, losses by more than one goal. On a head to head analysis, Costa Rica beats the US in points and in goals. And yes, those results have nothing to do with the stadium.

    This time, both teams are doing similar, both teams haven’t loss at home, haven’t received any goals at home, and both did similar on that game in Denver. Having said that, you’re coming here, so try to be realistic.

    Please bring a big bag for all the goals you’re going to take back home!!

    Reply
      • Again, both did similar in Denver, the US is not playing better than CR, and we’ll be at home.

        Try to learn a second language (or a third) and then we can talk

      • Costa Rica doesn’t have the name power of the USA or Mexico, but results on the field this cycle pretty much would indicate that CR is up there right now with the USA and yes, Mexico, whatever this weird run of bad form El Tri is on is about.

        I’d personally be thoroughly satisfied with a point in Costa Rica, and I think it’s a tall order. Actually in truth I’d be satisfied with two points out of the next two games, because I think Mexico is literally going to be fighting for their lives in Columbus and that is going to be a very, very tough win and could easily be a loss as well.

        I think CONCACAF has four legit World Cup teams this cycle – Honduras being the fourth – and the USA, Mexico, and CR are all probably good enough this cycle to get out of their group.

  2. In any case, the Costa Rica game is not nearly as important as if it were had we had something like 8-10 points now.

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  3. I’m going to miss that cheap imitation of a 70’s Monsanto field…concrete with a few sprigs of plastic…should be a nice tight game.

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  4. In the long run I think this hurts the US. They need the toughest challenges they can get right now to prepare for what they’ll face in Brazil next year. Of they can’t handle Costa Rica in they’re house, what chance do they have if they run into Brazil in Brazil, or any other of the top flight countries for that matter. They are hitting a groove and they need to be tested and challenged.

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    • Playing on 40 year old turf does nothing to prepare us for Brazil. If anything, it hurts us and could lead to serious knee injuries 10 months before the World Cup.

      Playing in front of a ton of noisy screaming fans, regardless of venue, does help us.

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  5. I’m actually kinda upset it’s not going to be at Saprissa. I’ll be at the match, and I kinda wanted to see how big of a $hit-hole Saprissa is with my own two eyes…

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  6. How come other countries can play on Artificial Turf, but FIFA wont let us host a game in Seattle or Portland without installing grass? Or is that not a rule?

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    • Fifa will let the US as long as the turf has a certain rating (2 star I believe). Both Seattle and Portland currently have this. For the Seattle match, US soccer, not Fifa, chose to lay the grass over turf. The upcoming gold cup game in portland will be on turf

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    • It’s not….I think it’s more of the USSF to rather play on grass rather than have our guys play on turf….plus the main thing that affects places like say Portland and Seattle is the long travel….I personally would LOVE to see the US play in Portland as their turf looks the best I’ve seen in any stadium with artificial surface

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    • USSF and Klinsman wouldn’t allow Seattle to have turf. FIFA allows turf as long as they certify the field.

      I believe I read that Klinsman doesn’t necessarily mind turf, but there wasn’t enough time to acclimate to it. I personally think he was being diplomatic. I can’t remember the USMNT ever playing a WCQ on anything but grass.

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  7. With the type of advantage they have had at Saprissa with the intimacy of that venue, what on earth were they thinking constructing a stadium like that? Just took that entire advantage and got rid of it on their own accord. Presumably, they could have easily created a nice field with the same crowd advantage Saprissa gave them (and yes it’d be easier than Saprissa because of the lack of turf, but still).

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  8. This is great news but don’t underestimate Los Ticos. They’re second in the group for a reason, they drew Mexico at the Azteca, and even at the new stadium they’re going to be tough at home. A draw would be OK, a win would be exceptional.

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    • Pretty sure someone else drew 0-0 at Azteca…. Ah yes! Not just USA but Jamaica!

      My petty point made, I think you’re right.

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  9. helps a lot but it’s going to be a grind. CR is going to be reallllly motivated. we prevented them from qualifying for 2010 and they are still upset about the Denver game. plus, they are in 2nd and will want 1st. it’s going to be hard fought.

    but Panama outplayed them and was unlucky to surrender two incredible goals by CR…the only shots CR even had.

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    • I agree that this helps a lot … better, more consistent pitch should be a net advantage to the US, crowd further away (due to the track) reduces the impact of the crowd noise, and the crowd being further away makes accurately throwing batteries and water bottles and such much more difficult. That said, for the USA, this is a road WCQ in Central America … don’t think for an instant that the US can just show up and get handed a result (esp., a win).

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  10. It’s the running field that makes all the difference. Less of a cauldron, makes it that much harder to fling the bags of urine, etc. It’s certainly our best chance of taking a point in Costa Rica in… well, ever.

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    • Looks like you would need a heck of an arm (or more like one of those t-shirt launchers) to get said urine bags to the field. Seats are halfway to Panama.

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    • I don’t know if they throw that kind of stuff in Costa Rica….Mexico of course, Guatemala yes…I lived there lol, El Salvador yes, and Honduras? Probably….but their stadiums have tracks around the field as well so not much of a factor but still…in Costa Rica I think it was mostly empty plastic bottles

      Reply
      • I think because of where the tunnel is….in the central part of the sideline, the people who sit there are probably not that kind of fans….usually those seats are for the more affluent VIPs….but maybe it’s just me being wishful….?

      • In the first CR match in the 98 cycle–December 1996–we were bombarded with urine and coins at Saprissa. Not sure the pee-bags have been flung since then… but I’m of the opinion that flinging pee-bags is so bad that you have to go a full four decades before you lose your reputation as a pee-bag flinger.

      • if things get thrown, i would just do what Ruiz did at Mexico. what are CR going to say? “oh. come on guys, just play.” no, now they can’t say that because they stopped play in Mexico for the same thing.

      • I agree….which is why I hope Donovan starts scoring and assisting and gets on the team….he has experience in these type of games….we could sure use a pass like in Azteca 4 years ago remember? Either way I do hope the players don’t put up with it….

  11. I have to admit I am reveling in the schadenfreude at this news.

    That being said, I think expecting three points on the road against a talented Central American opponent is unrealistic. If the US escaped with a tie, I’d be thrilled. Plus, with 14 points, a tie would put us in position to functionally clinch our World Cup berth (a) at home, and (b) against Mexico. Tough to beat that.

    Reply
      • totally agree, but at the same time 1 point wouldn’t be disappointing. Go into the match looking for and expecting to get 3, but if you come out with 1 on the road, that’s acceptable. As the maxim says, 3 at home + 1 away = World Cup Qualification success.

      • You must a fairly new fan. It is EXTREMELY difficult to play against these Central American teams in an away game. Honduras, CR and even ES give the US a fight everytime we go down there. ALSO, CR is doing well in WCQ they have 11 points and could leap frog us with a W. We have never won a WCQ match in CR and you can be sure CR will want revenge for the snow game.

      • Pretty much this.

        That being said, I do think our chances of getting three points this go-around are higher than in 2009, 2005, or 2001, both because of the change in venue and because of the form our team is in right now.

        But when we’re talking road CONCACAF matches, a “higher” chance doesn’t necessarily mean a “high” chance.

      • Just to add, the fact that CR is actually in a good position too means less pressure on them to absolutely need to get 3 points.

      • Costa Rica is ranked ahead of Japan, who everyone expects to make a lot of noise in Brazil. And Denmark, who almost made it out of the group of death at the Euros. And Greece, who actually DID make it out of their group at the Euros. Be realistic.

    • I think we have a better chance if we decide to use our local boys rather than our German-American boys, we know they don’t do well when playing above 75 degrees.

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  12. The U.S. gets at least 1 point and maybe 3 in this one. Costa Rica does not have the quality the U.S. has. What a dump Saprissa is.

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    • Well, people were saying the same about the opener at Honduras…

      That said, the US is in form and on a roll. Even though the match at RioT started sloppy, Honduras never really threatened.

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      • Totally disagree on the quality comment above. Costa Rica has the team to beat us. Good squad. Well coached.

    • A lot of people were talking this way 4 years ago. We went on to get absolutely torn apart in Saprissa. Costa Rica deserves a little more respect. They’re a very good team at home.

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  13. I hope this isn’t played in the warm sun with noticeable heat. Otherwise, that’s an unfair advantage to Costa Rica.

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    • having major home-field advantages is part of the game. if it’s disgustingly hot, that’s a totally fair advantage for costa rica, just as cold (even a little snowey) weather can provide us a fair advantage. i would expect home games in central american countries to be nasty hot, and prepare accordingly.

      Reply
      • Average high in San Jose in September is 79 and the low is 61. Sort of NY summer temperatures without the oppressive humidity. San Jose is a bit high (sort of Salt Lake City high, not even like Denver).

  14. I am stunned by this, fully expected them to force us play in Saprissa. Especially due to comments made after the game in March

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