Hosts USA keen to bounce back with a win when they take on Costa Rica in their second match in the Copa America Centenario Group A at the Soldier Field in Chicago on Tuesday.
The Stars and Stripes were beaten 2-0 by Colombia in their opening group fixture and a repeat performance will seal an early exit for the hosts. USA were unarguably the second best team in that contest, but in real Colombia were poor, but Jurgen Klinsmann’s men were extremely poor. They defeat also put an end to USA’s four match win streak in all venues and a 6 match winning run at home. Aimless passing and blunt attacks were hallmark of the team performance on the miserable night and they will be keen for an improved performance when his team meet Costa Rica on Tuesday.
Costa Rica and Paraguay played out a 0-0 stalemate in a closely fought contest at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando in their opening group fixture. There was no lack of entertainment on Saturday evening, but either teams failed to create any clear cut scoring chances, despite showing plenty of energy and enthusiasm in going forward. Just like his opposite number, the Los Ticos head coach Oscar Ramirez will be keen to get his tactics right in the all-important fixture against USA.
USA: Team News
Jurgen Klinsmann is likely to use the same players that started in the defeat against Colombia. He has plenty to worry about ahead of this key fixture after witnessing a terrible performance from his key players like Michael Bradley, DeAndre Yedlin, Bobby Wood and Jermaine Jones.
The veteran striker Clint Dempsey had an impressive outing along with his striking partner Gyasi Zardes. The 17-year old Christian Pulisic was a lively figure since coming off as a substitute in the second half, but he is expected to start from the bench once again.
USA Predicted Line-up (4-3-3)
Guzan – Johnson, Cameron, Brooks, Yedlin – Bradley, Beckerman, Jones – Zardes, Dempsey, Wood.
Costa Rica: Team News
Kendall Watson is suspended for this fixture against USA after receiving a red card in the dying minutes of the 0-0 draw against Paraguay and Michael Umaña is the expected replacement.
Oscar Ramirez is likely to stick with the rest of the squad that started in their last match, unless a late fitness issue occurs.
Costa Rica: Predicted Line-up (5-3-2)
Pemberton – Matarrita, Acosta, Duarte, Umana, Gamboa – Borges, Tejeda, Ruiz – Campbell, Urena.
USA vs Costa Rica: Head-to-Head Stats
The sides had met on 28 previous occasions, with USA winning in 13 of them against 11 matches won by Costa Rica, while 4 matches end in draws.
Costa Rica had won in the last two meetings against USA, while losing the previous two.
Their latest meeting was on October 2015 in a friendly at Red Bull Arena, which was won by 1-0 by Costa Rica, courtesy of a goal by Joel Campbell.
This will be the first time that USA and Costa Rica meet in a Copa America match.
USA vs Costa Rica: Prediction
USA must improve in all departments if they are to stand a chance against a rough and tough Costa Rica. The Los Ticos showed plenty of promise in the 0-0 stalemate against Paraguay and with the likes of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz in their ranks, they do not need a lot of chances of score goals.
Despite the flaws in the opening match, USA are expected to produce an inspiring performance to avoid an early exit in front of their home fans. They do have the quality and experience, now they have to replicate it on the field. They are also favourites on paper and heavy favourites in our statistical prediction.
Full Time Score USA 2-1 Costa Rica
