Costa Rica: World Cup 2014 Team Preview

Costa Rica

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense) Daniel Cambronero (Herediano).

Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Michael Umana (Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Bruges), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Heiner Mora (Saprissa), Junior Diaz (Mainz 05), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls).

Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK), Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), Diego Calvo (Valerenga), Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano).

Forwards: Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Fulham), Joel Campbell (Olympiakos, on loan from Arsenal), Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Marco Urena (FC Kuban Krasnodar).

Best Ever Finish: Last 16 (1990)

LIKELY COSTA RICA XI FOR 2014 WORLD CUP

Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto

Captain: Bryan Ruiz

Los Ticos were pretty impressive throughout their qualifying campaign. They finished in second place in the CONCACAF hexagonal stage and in doing so progressed to Brazil with relative ease.

Under their boss Pinto, they play variations of a system which is primarily focused around three central defenders, with the team flexible in whether they play a flat-back five or three centre-backs and a pair of wingbacks.

In qualifying, this system gave way to a pretty stingy defence. The best defensive record in CONCACAF qualifying in fact, as Pinto’s team conceded just seven goals in their ten group games. They’re tough to beat too, with the only two games they fell to defeat in being tough tests away against the United States and Honduras.

Pinto will feel he has something to prove in what is his second spell as Costa Rica boss. He was relieved of duties in his previous spell back in 2005 despite overseeing the countries successful qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

He has fashioned a distinctive, solid and progressive young team ahead of next summer’s showpiece. But for all their defensive qualities, Costa Rica must find a goal scoring touch if they are to match their sterling effort from 1990.

If the elusive Bryan Ruiz and dynamic Joel Campbell are at their best, they could shock a few. In Keylor Navas, they also have one of the most underrated goalkeepers in La Liga.

Key Player – Bryan Ruiz

During his time at Fulham, Ruiz has shown glimpses of some real quality. But in truth, given his ability it is infuriating how the Costa Rica captain drifts in and out of games.

In this Costa Rica team, Ruiz takes on the brunt of the creative responsibility. He typically operates from the right-hand-side of a four man midfield but is given license to drift about the pitch and influence the game.

At his best, he is a tremendously elegant player with a refined dribbling style and cultured left-foot. At his worst, he is anonymous. A motivated and involved Ruiz is tantamount for a successful Costa Rican showing.

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