Put together for america to face its hardest opponent but within the CONCACAF Gold Cup as an undefeated Costa Rican facet will look to maneuver previous the lads’s nationwide staff in tonight’s quarterfinal.
Not like the U.S.’ earlier matches in opposition to lesser recognized nations in Haiti, Saudi Arabia, and the 5-0 confidence booster it acquired in its first match in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica poses a a lot stiffer problem, spearheaded by Manfred Ugalde, who leads the staff with three objectives within the event. Moreover, Costa Rica has among the best goalkeepers on the earth in former Actual Madrid netminder Keylor Navas, who enters Sunday’s match with 11 saves within the group stage.
Nevertheless, the U.S. have seemingly discovered their means with every passing sport, led by Malik Tillman, who additionally has three objectives within the event. Additionally, ahead Patrick Agyemang has been a welcomed presence, scoring the sport winner in opposition to Haiti and displaying that he might be efficient as a ahead who can go at defenders or be the massive physique to that doubles as a hold-up presence.
Scouting Costa Rica
Along with Ugalde, the Costa Ricans have seen a lift in play from ahead Josimar Alcócer, who is available in with back-to-back sport successful objectives, none greater than the one which sparked a 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic. He was additionally a menace in Costa Rica’s scoreless draw with Mexico, that noticed each nations undergo out of Group A.
Search for Los Ticos to push the envelope to the Individuals backline. Finally, this must be an in depth sport however will resolve on whether or not or not the U.S. protection is as much as the duty, beginning with goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who’s been getting the minutes over regular U.S. goalkeeping incumbent, Matt Turner.
Traditionally, the U.S. has had the higher hand over Los Ticos, with 20 wins in 44 conferences. Costa Rica will likely be out for its first win over the Individuals since a victory throughout FIFA World Cup qualifying for Qatar in 2022.
Finest bets
There are a ton of enjoyable odds introduced by Fanduel on this sport, however that is the primary one the place we don’t recommend their four-leg parlay which includes a U.S. moneyline. We simply don’t see it the identical means.
Nevertheless, take the sure on each groups to place a objective away, the halftime end result to be in favor of a draw, and Diego Luna to have an help on the U.S. objective, he’s good for 2 of these on this event and the playmaking machine is nice for an additional.
Prediction
This sport might go anyway. What followers hope is that it’s not paying homage to the U.S. show in opposition to Panama in the course of the CONCACAF Nations League, which noticed the Individuals bow out following a 1-0 in entrance of a packed crowd at SoFi Stadium — and in entrance of France legend Thierry Henry.
Whereas it will be catastrophic, this appears like the sport that might see the Individuals bow out of the event on an in depth remaining. At +500, it’s arduous to not again a 2-1 win in favor of Los Ticos.
Right here’s hoping we’re mistaken, however this yr the U.S. males’s nationwide staff has been something however a positive factor.
