USA vs. Costa Rica, International Friendly: Preview, How To Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread as the United States Men’s National Team takes on Costa Rica in an international friendly. This is the Yanks’ first match of the 2020 calendar year.

The U.S. finished 2019 with a record of 11-5-2 in Gregg Berhalter’s first year in charge. Berhalter made history last year by recording 10 wins faster than any other manager in USMNT history not named Bob Bradley. The team did not always look spectacular, but there was progress.

The 46-year-old gave 13 players their first international caps last year. With so many new faces in the squad, the team still managed to put up some impressive numbers. The Yanks had the fewest goals conceded since 2012, fewest yellow cards since 1991, second-highest goal differential in team history, and the second-most shutouts. Gyasi Zardes (six), Weston McKennie (five), Jordan Morris (five), and Christian Pulisic (five) were the top scorers for the Yanks. This marked the first time four U.S. players scored at least five goals in a calendar year.

Zardes is the only one of those four players in camp. His six goals were not always the prettiest — I’m looking at you face goal and whatever this was — but he was effective enough up top. Paul Arriola was one of the consistent players for Berhalter last year. His 15 caps were tied with Zardes for the most in 2019, and his 12 starts were second only to defenders Tim Ream and Aaron Long.

The U.S. and Costa Rica have a long history against each other, and the series could not be any closer. The all-time record is perfectly split, 16-16-6. Both teams have been dominant at home, and all of the Yanks’ wins have come in the United States.

The teams last met a year ago from tomorrow. Sebastian Lletget and Arriola each scored in the final 10 minutes to lift the U.S. to a 2-0 victory. The U.S. controlled possession (59%) and out-shot Los Ticos, 12-6. This match could look drastically different as seven of those starters are not in this year’s camp. 

Rosters

USWNT (Caps/Goals)

Goalkeepers (3): Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 8/0), Bill Hamid (D.C. United; 6/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 0/0).

Defenders (8): Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy; 0/0), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 10/0), Chase Gasper (Minnesota United FC; 0/0), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 16/3), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 11/2).

Midfielders (6): Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Christian Cappis (Hobro/DEN; 0/0), Bryang Kayo (Unattached; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 13/2), Brandon Servania (FC Dallas; 0/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 6/0).

Forwards (5): Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 32/5), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas; 0/0), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids; 5/0), Ulysses Llanez (Wolfsburg/GER; 0/0), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 55/12).

Costa Rica

Goalkeepers (3): Luis Alpizar (Jicaral; 0/0), Esteban Alvarado (Herediano; 16/0), Aarón Cruz (Saprissa; 0/0).

Defenders (8): Pablo Arboine (San Carlos; 1/0), Keyner Brown (Herediano; 2/0), Kevin Espinoza (Guadalupe; 0/0), Keysher Fuller (Herediano; 7/1), Giancarlo González (LA Galaxy/USA; 80/2), Joseph Mora (D.C. United/USA; 3/0), Rónald Matarrita (New York City FC/USA; 36/3), Jeikel Venegas (Perez Zeledon; 0/0).

Midfielders (10): Bernald Alfaro (Alajuelense; 0/0), Luis Díaz (Columbus Crew SC/USA; 1/0), David Guzmán (Saprissa; 16/0), Ariel Lassiter (Alajuelense; 5/0), Randall Leal (Nashville SC/USA; 15/0), Marvin Loría (Portland Timbers; 1/0), Cristopher Núñez (Cartaginés; 0/0), Ulises Segura (D.C. United/USA; 8/0), Yeltsin Tejeda (Herediano; 50/0), Johan Venegas (Saprissa; 54/11).

Forwards (2): Marco Ureña (Alajuelense; 65/16), Manfred Ugalde (Saprissa; 0/0).

How to Watch

Match Time: 3:55 p.m. (ET).

Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, CA.

TV: ESPN News, TUDN.

Streaming: WatchESPN, TUDN en Vivo.

Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @StarsStripesFC, @USMNT, and @TheManeLand.