World Cup Playoffs Review

Between World Cup playoff matches, friendlies and the MLS Cup Conference Finals, there is a ton of footy action going on this weekend.

U.S. vs Costa Rica Highlights

Placing first in the group is huge when it comes time for our seeding and the World Cup draw.

U.S. vs Costa Rica - Don't Tread

The U.S. Men's National Team has a chance to secure first place in the final CONCACAF qualifying group tonight at RFK. In light of everything that's happened in the last 24 hours, I figured we all needed to get hyped for the day. The telecast begins at 7:30 PM Eastern/ 4:30 PM Pacific on ESPN2 and ESPN360. Don't tread on this!

Mexico vs Costa Rica Highlights

This one hurt. I was really hoping to see Mexico fail at Saprissa Stadium.

Gold Cup Semi-Final Highlights

Highlights from last night's games. U.S. vs Honduras and Mexico vs Costa Rica.

SSFC signs new player from Costa Rica

The Seattle Sounders FC have signed Costa Rican defender Leonardo Gonzalez, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Gonzalez’s signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 work permit and International Clearance.
Gonzalez, 28, will join Sounders FC after completing his call in to the national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has been capped 59 times by Costa Rica, including three starts during the 2006 World Cup.
“It’s nice to have to have a naturally left-footed player. He can play left back, play center back in a pinch, and he can also play wide and run the whole line for us,” said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC coach. “He is an attacking left fullback with good size and athleticism. He’s very willing to get forward out of a defensive position and does a good job defensively.”
Costa Rica currently leads the final round of 2010 World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF. There are five qualifiers remaining, beginning August 12 at Honduras.
The Ticos open Gold Cup play on July 3 against El Salvador in Los Angeles. They face Jamaica in Columbus on July 7 and complete group play versus Canada on July 10 in Miami. The Gold Cup runs through July 26, with the final being played in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Gonzalez last played for Liberia Mia, newly crowned champion of the Costa Rican first division. Previously he was with Club Sport Herediano, which was runner-up in 2007.

Should he stay or should he go?

Yeah yeah... I know it's one game the Americans lost, but.... I'm not ticked that the US lost, it's the manner in which they lost. After losing to Costa Rica 3-1, many questions are being asked. Were the selection made the right ones? Why sub off your best player on the night in Torres? Why did the US team look so unorganized or uninterested in the game? Is BB still the right man for the job? I'm still scratching my head at everything I saw last night. Sure Costa Rica is a good team and very difficult to play at home, but if the US is to be tagged the best team in CONCACAF they have to play with heart, emotion and a killer instinct. Nothing made me believe this was true or even capable by the Nats. In fact everything I saw last night gave me little confidence in the team. I am Confident of qualifying, but a little terrified of what could happen in South Africa... The tragedy of 1998 comes to mind. What do you think?