Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto
Captain: Bryan Ruiz
World Cup Winners: N/A
World Cup Runners up: N/A
Best Finish: Round of 16 (Italy 1990)
Costa Rica 2014 World Cup Preview:
Finishing a comfortable second in the CONCACAF qualifiers, Jorge Luis Pinto’s side have looked decidedly out of sorts lately, losing four of their last six friendly matches since qualifying for Brazil 2014.
While their buildup to the tournament may not be going quite as planned, their good form in qualifying cannot be dismissed, with Costa Rica emerging with the best defensive record with just seven conceded, and with now-injured striker Álvaro Saborío scoring eight times (joint fourth top scorer alongside Clint Dempsey of the USA).
Captain Bryan Ruiz is their standout player however, with the Fulham man capable of real brilliance up top. While he is prone to occasional anonymity in games, when on form, he is a force to be reckoned with, and you feel that in him lies the key for any Costa Rican success this summer.
Arsenal man Joel Campbell, who spent a productive year on loan to Olympiakos last season, is a real handful up top, and if he and Ruiz can form an early partnership in Brazil, Costa Rica could be a surprise package in Group D. Just don’t expect them to progress, with Uruguay, Italy and England really just too big an ask.
Costa Rica 2014 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Daniel Cambronero (Herediano).
Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Giancarlo González (Columbus Crew), Michael Umaña (Deportivo Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Heiner Mora (Deportivo Saprissa), Júnior Díaz (Mainz), Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls).
Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK), Christian Bolaños (Copenhagen), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Yeltsin Tejeda (Deportivo Saprissa), Diego Calvo (Valerenga), José Miguel Cubero (Herediano).
Strikers: Bryan Ruiz (Fulham), Joel Campbell (Arsenal), Randall Brenes (Cartaginés), Marco Ureña (Kuban Krasnodar).
Key Player(s): Bryan Ruiz
Costa Rica 2014 World Cup Stats:
For more World Cup previews, stats and news, see our World Cup 2014 Guide.
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