From Deseret News archives:
Costa Rica won't be a pushover
Alexandre Guimaraes, who last coached Costa Rica into the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, will be on the sidelines for the team's first World Cup qualifier since he returned as national team coach.
While it would be a big upset for Costa Rica to defeat the United States when the teams meet at 5:30 p.m. today at Rice-Eccles Stadium — Costa Rica hasn't won on U.S. soil in a decade — Guimaraes already coached the squad to arguably the biggest upset in the history of the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone (CONCACAF).
During the buildup to the 2002 World Cup, Costa Rica handed Mexico its only ever home defeat in World Cup qualifying. The 2-1 win in fabled Azteca Stadium was hailed by Costa Ricans like a World Cup win, and the Brazilian-born coach will be looking to pull off another huge surprise against the United States.
"We'll be up against one of the toughest sides in the group in a country where we haven't won for years," Guimaraes recently told FIFAworldcup.com. "But I know how to stir (the players') pride.
"In the previous qualifiers we managed to win at the Azteca Stadium, so it wouldn't be the first time they've pulled off an amazing feat. We need to draw on that experience for this game."
Costa Rica is expected to utilize a formation against the United States that features three defenders. They will probably play in a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3 formation.
Captain Luis Marin will anchor that three-man back line. The 30-year old will organize the Ticos' defense and attempt to keep players like Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson at bay.
Offensively, much of Costa Rica's attack will be predicated on veteran striker Paulo Wanchope, who has spent the last eight years in Europe. He played with three English clubs (Derby County, West Ham United, and Manchester City) before jumping to Malaga CF of Spain last season.
Malaga finished 10th in Spain's La Liga, and Wanchope scored six goals in 25 appearances. He reportedly will be leaving that club, though, during the summer.
For all his club struggles, Wanchope is still considered one of Costa Rica's finest soccer players ever.
Costa Rica went through two coaches after Guimaraes retired from the position after the 2002 World Cup. The Ticos barely missed out on the round of 16 that year and commanded worldwide respect for their performance.
Guimaraes walked away from the team after that summer, and Steve Sampson failed to build upon the Brazilian's success. After Sampson, an American who coached the U.S. during the 1998 World Cup in France, fell out of favor with Costa Ricans, Jorge Luis Pinto was summoned as his replacement.
Pinto managed to guide the Ticos to the final stage of qualifying, but they struggled during the opening three qualifiers of the final round and Pinto was fired.
And so Costa Ricans will again be hoping for magic from Guimaraes, beginning today against the United States. The Ticos have never qualified for two straight World Cups.
"To qualify for a second successive time would be marvelous," said Guimaraes, "but there is a long and treacherous road ahead."
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com
