The U.S. men’s national team has all but clinched its spot into the 2022 FIFA World Cup and can wrap up an automatic berth to Qatar on Wednesday night. (9:05 p,m. ET, Paramount+).
Gregg Berhalter’s side faces Costa Rica in San Jose looking to earn a first-ever qualifying win away home against the Ticos. A 5-1 victory over Panama on Sunday has the Americans on the verge of returning to the World Cup after failing to do so in 2018.
Costa Rica will need a six-goal victory against the USMNT to jump into the automatic qualification spots. The Ticos have won four of their last five qualifying matches including a 2-1 triumph over El Salvador on Sunday.
Reggie Cannon is back and available for the USMNT following his spell on the sidelines with COVID-19 while Tim Weah and DeAndre Yedlin all return to the starting lineup from their one-match suspensions. Jesus Ferreira, Shaq Moore, and Paul Arriola all drop to the bench to start.
Here is a closer look at the USMNT starting lineup:
SBI’s editorial staff will provide some updates and insights in the comments section. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions as well.
Enjoy the action.
1st half was decent. Second half a mess. Maybe the guys mailed it in I hope. Nothing to celebrate with a performance against a B Costa Rican squad that made the US look pedestrian in the second half . Be classy keep the champagne corked until you get to the hotel no locker room hoopla. We still have work to do to be ready for November. Hope USSF lines up some solid games May and June plus in the fall.
Final: Costa Rica 2 – USMNT 0. The USMNT is headed to Qatar later this year at the expense of a third qualifying loss in the octagonal round. Not a lot of positives from this match. A lot of tired American players out there tonight and it showed. Give a lot of credit to Costa Rica, they saved a lot of their best players for the playoff and ended the octagonal on a major high note.
Thanks for joining all!
Gio Reyna and Pulisic connect in the box before a shot from an onrushing Yunus Musah is cleared by Orlando Galo. 70′
2-0! Costa Rica doubles its lead as Anthony Contreras is left alone to slam home a cross from 17-year-old Jewison Bennette. Antonee and Miles Robinson both watching as the cross comes in. 60′
Steffen is a joke
Shaq Moore and Jesus Ferreira readying to come on for USMNT. Gio Reyna also looks ready.
GOAL! Costa Rica takes a 1-0 lead as Brandon Aguilera’s corner kick is headed home by Juan Pablo Vargas. Kellyn Acosta lost Vargas in the box and Walker Zimmerman doesn’t win the header. 51′
Tyler Adams is replaced by Luca De La Torre at halftime. USMNT forced a third good save by Keylor Navas to start second half. 48′
Nothing wrong with first half performance. My only complaint is content kicks. Former Ehitvaps season ticket holder here so I’ve seen a lot of Kendal Waston. He’s big. Don’t aim for the biggest guy on the field.
Geez, autocorrect killed me. As a former Whitecaps season ticket holder, I’m qualified to say Waston is big. Don’t every CK at the biggest dude.
I’d expect a few subs in the 50th to 60th minute range to keep fresh legs on the field. Costa Rica isn’t going to make tactical changes for the 2nd half.
HT: Costa Rica 0 – USMNT 0. Not much to discuss from the opening 45 mins. Keylor Navas made a pair of key saves to deny the Americans. Zack Steffen hasn’t been troubled at all. More to come.
For the Reyna should play midfield crowd notice in the build up how Pulisic and Weah are almost always inside two CMs who are almost on the touch line. There’s always one of the midfield triangle central but they are usually deep linked with the CBs.
Jedi Robinson has been sensational tonight except for his final delivery into the box. He’s been a rising star under Berhalter since 2020. 44′
CP gettin CONCACAF’d! Damn! He’s gettin hacked every touch
Christian Pulisic is taking a bit of a beating from Costa Rica players so far, but winning a few fouls here. 33′
The youngsters for Costa Rica have held their own so far against the USMNT. Costa Rica defensively is frustrating the Americans, but need to make most of its possession in the final third. 30′
USMNT is having chances in the final third, but lacking the final touch in front of goal. 25′
Easy math, ticos need a goal every 15 mins. 1/6 down
Tim Weah and Ricardo Pepi connecting well down the right wing and Pepi’s shot stings the gloves of Navas at the near post. 13′
Miles Robinson with the first true effort on goal, a hard-hit shot off of a corner kick. Keylor Navas with the save. 9′
Tyler Adams getting some early treatment on his knee. Cristian Roldan, Luca De La Torre, and James Sands all warming up per Paramount+ broadcast.
conceding early the only danger
Looks like some real officials tonight. Nice!
Costa Rica with a mainly rotated squad as seven changes are made by Luis Fernando Suarez. Three players under the age of 20 in the starting XI. Several key players on the bench including Joel Campbell.
the field isn’t terrible. remember the asphalt turf?
Always nervous when facing Navas in goal. He’s the only reason they are in shape to qualify.
USA going with a very strong starting 11.
Costa Rica is protecting players with yellow cards and less than full strength
Smart move by Costa Rica to realize the odds and take their chances against New Zealand.
Rest easy, US fans……..
Good evening everyone and thanks for joining us for the final USMNT match of the octagonal round. Several key players such as Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and others are starting.
Costa Rica can only jump into top three with a five goal win tonight, but would be in playoff against New Zealand with any other result.
It is very nice to see the continuity with the lineup Gregg has went with this window. Looking forward to what I think will be another great performance to finish off qualifying. Hopefully Pepi can end this awful run.