Gold Cup 2017: USMNT looking to avoid sloppy play versus Costa Rica in the semis
The USA will take on Costa Rica in the Gold Cup semifinals on Saturday, a game in which the Americans will need to avoid committing any major blunders or risk missing out on the final.
The Gold Cup quarterfinals on the United States side of the bracket went according to script. Costa Rica edged out Panama 1-0 this past Wednesday, while the USMNT outlasted El Salvador 2-0 in a game that featured several controversial moments that included nipple twisting and biting. The Americans were good enough in the quarterfinals (like they have been throughout the Gold Cup) but that won’t cut it Saturday night against Costa Rica at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
What we have now is a semifinal in which the error-prone Americans will need to clean up their act. The Ticos beat the USMNT 4-0 last November at home in World Cup qualifying, a game that ultimately resulted in the firing of Jurgen Klinsmann. The teams will meet again on Sept. 1 in another critical qualifier at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. The Americans will need a win in that one in order to stay afloat in the Hexagonal and try to grab an automatic berth to Russia 2018, awarded to the top three finishers.
For the time being, coach Bruce Arena’s focus is on reaching the Gold Cup final. The Americans overpowered El Salvador and Arena’s decision to call up five veterans, after relying mostly on second-tier MLS players in the group stage, clearly paid off. The Americans not only dominated the Salvadorians for long stretches, but also had to deal with a series of cheap shots leveled at them throughout the second half. As in past editions of the Gold Cup, poor officiating took center stage.
“There should have been a player sent off … I didn’t see the play live,” Arena told reporters at the post-game news conference at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard offered Arena assurances in the back, although the defense gave the Salvadorians too much space to move the ball, space a stronger opponent, such as Costa Rica, would have turned into goals. The USA were beaten on nearly every long ball lobbed into their final third, and were often sloppy in possession.
Costa Rica, a familiar opponent for the United States in recent years, hold a 14-5-15 all-time record against the Americans. Aside from holding that slight edge, Costa Rica also feature several MLS-based players. That familiarity should create for an interesting subplot as the USA, favored to win the tournament, face a Costa Rican side many had tipped to win the Gold Cup on the eve of the competition.
“Every game is different … [Costa Rica] look to have pretty close to their first team, though I’ve seen they have had some injuries,” Arena said.
Against Costa Rica, the USMNT will need to stay tight in the back and Arena will need to use his 4-4-2 formation to maintain possession and push forward (with Darlington Nagbe as the motor in the middle of the field) against an opponent that has plenty of experience playing high-pressure games. In the quarters, too many turnovers and the inability of strikers Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey to get into the game meant the U.S. never really dominated like they should have. It’s no wonder that both goals came from defenders, Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj. A repeat of that versus Costa Rica would hurt the Americans.
“We are looking forward to playing Costa Rica … and if called upon, doing a lot better,” Lichaj admitted.
Costa Rica, led by playmaker Bryan Ruiz, has had their own issues, mostly relating to injuries. They have also limped to the semifinals, but were able to defeat Panama in a game that featured a high-tempo pace. This is the first time Costa Rica have reached the Gold Cup semis since 2009, after crashing out of the quarterfinals in the last three editions. The injuries Arena referred to pertain to four regulars: Minnesota United striker Johan Venegas along with the Premier League-based trio of Joel Campbell, Cristian Gamboa and Bryan Oviedo. Nonetheless, this is a team that have shown their depth and have gotten increasingly better as the tournament progresses.
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Nonetheless, Costa Rica, a team that reached the quarterfinals at the 2014 World Cup, are led by a stout defense, recording their third shutout in four matches at this Gold Cup in the quarters. The Ticos defeated Panama thanks to an own goal by the San Jose Earthquakes’ Anibal Godoy after he nodded the ball into his own net. The Americans should take notice: Costa Rica are a team with a strong backline and one that can defend a narrow lead, especially if it comes off a blunder.
The Americans have made a series of mistakes at this Gold Cup, but have escaped largely unscathed against weaker opponents such as Martinique and Nicaragua. Costa Rica, on a quest to win their first ever Gold Cup, will not be so forgiving.