Costa Rica vs USA: Predictions and scenarios
USMNT finish their series of World Cup qualifiers with their final game against Costa Rica. If they don’t qualify, it would be an embarrassing achievement.
The United States Men’s National Team will head to Costa Rica on Wednesday to finish off their Octagonal schedule and officially secure their spot in the World Cup. In theory, this should be a shoo-in for the US, who would only not qualify if they lose to Costa Rica by at least six goals. On the other hand, if they win, tie, or even lose, but by less than six goals, they have a direct spot in the World Cup in Qatar and avoid the intercontinental playoffs.
The USMNT is coming off of a big 5-1 win over Panama with an impressive hat-trick from star Christian Pulisic leading the headlines. Costa Rica is also coming into the game fresh off an important win over El Salvador. For Costa Rica to secure a direct ticket to Qatar, however, they’ll need to do a lot more and will require Mexico to lose against El Salvador on Wednesday.
Possible USMNT lineup
4-3-3
Ethan Horvath
Shaquell Moore, Miles Robinson, Aaron Long, DeAndre Yedlin
Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Gianluca Busio
Tim Weah, Ricardo Pepi, Giovanni Reyna
Possible Costa Rica lineup
5-4-1
Keylor Navas
Álvaro Saborío, Francisco Calvo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Rónald Matarrita, Keysher Fuller
Alonso Martínez, Yeltsin Tejeda, Celso Borges, Anthony Contreras
Joel Campbell