by Rod Hughes
The Costa Rican soccer All-Star team of which so much was expected fell to a Canadian team, 2-1, last night in a stunning upset.
This should not be construed as saying the Canadians are not strong this year. Often discounted in soccer in past years, Canada’s team brought a 23-man squad to Miami that has 16 players so good that they are contracted abroad to mainly European teams, a dead giveaway that they were no pushovers.
But the Costa Rican team had topped even Mexico in a FIFA poll as favorites to win the gold. Granted, Costa Rica is famous for starting out tournaments by tripping over their own feet and later redeeming themselves, but the lackluster performance on the field last night has their countrymen worried and puzzled.
During the first period, both teams sparred warily, seeking out their opponents’ soft spots. Occasionally, both would attack and at one point Tico goalie Jose Francisco Porras had to make a circus stop of a blast that would have scored. Generally, however, neither team showed any sterling marksmanship.
But Costa Rica, especially, did not seem to know what that odd construction of steel tubes and netting was down there at the end of the field. Ace striker Alvaro Saborío had a particularly dismal night, spraying the ball right and left with foot and head. The Ticos did not come alive until, at minute 55 in the second half, the ever-reliable Walter Centeno sank a pass from Leonardo González into the netting.
No time for euphoria—barely a minute later, Canada’s Julián de Guzman evened it up and at minute 72 did it again, proving the executioner of the Ticos’ hopes.
The All-Stars meet Haiti next Saturday by which time coach Hernán Medford hopes to have everything sorted out.
(If this report seems unduly harsh, please be advised that the writer is not satisfied unless the Costa Ricans win every international game by a 10-0 score.)