(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The U.S. soccer team played against Costa Rica in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Elimination Rounds at Estadio Ricardo Sapissa in San Jose, Costa Rica. The crowd was 19,200 spectators, and the result was not what the legions of U.S. supports at home expected for the United States.


In the first half, Costa Rica drew first blood with a goal by Saborio within the first two minutes of the game, pinning the US into an early deficit. Defensive mistakes continued to pile up early as Tim Howard was unable to prevent the second goal via a direct kick by Borges roughly 10 minutes later.


The goals by Saborio and Borges occurred within the first fifteen minutes of the game. Costa Rica continued its celebration until Freddy Fernandez received a warning for his anti—professional behavior at 30-minute mark. The rest of the first half was Costa Rica playing in a disciplined and organized manner leaving the U.S. dazed.


The first half finished with a scoreless U.S. team against the two goals from Costa Rica. Both teams planned their strategies during the intermission and the second half began.


Costa Rica was able to continue its dominance of the game in spite of Herrera receiving a yellow card. In fact, Herrera scored the third goal for Costa Rica while the U.S. was reeling from the yellow cards that Bradley and Klejstan received.


The U.S. tried to salvage some dignity as Landon Donovan scored via penalty kick in the closing minutes. While it was the first time Donovan scored for the U.S. since 2000, it was not enough to save the game.


After the game, the U.S. fell into second place behind Costa Rica in the CONCACAF 2010 FIFA World Cup Elimination Round. Can the team recover from its loss? It can under the following conditions: discipline, tenacity, and maybe an influx of new soccer players, since Donovan and many others appeared fatigued.


This underwriter has faith that this situation can be resolved even with the U.S. team (and maybe still the sport itself in this country) in the adolescent phase.


Final Score: Costa Rica 3—1 U.S.


Most Valued Players: Saborio, Borges, Herrera

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