World Cup Preview: 10 Things You Need to Know About Costa Rica
This Costa Rica team is everyone’s pick to finish last in Group D. But maybe that’s just because no one knows too much about then. Change that right now by reading this list of 10 things you need to know about Costa Rica:
1. The coach is a hot head
Coach: The Colombian manager Jorge Luis Pinto is back for a second stint in charge of Los Ticos and successfully guided them to a second place finish in the CONCACAF Hexagonal. Pinto is known as the “Explosive One” due to his track record of brawling with opposing coaches and referees.
2. That was the best defense in CONCACAF
Costa Rica keep defensive shape and look for a moment of excellence in front of goal. This style proved very effective in CONCACAF qualifying matches, resulting in the fewest number of allowed goals. Whether it can work against the likes of Italy, England, and Uruguay remains to be seen.
3. The keeper is the real deal
Levante’s Keylor Navas was one of the top keepers in La Liga this season. He is very capable of producing impossible-seeming reflex saves that keep Costa Rica alive against stronger opponents.
4. It’s all about Bryan Ruiz
Fulham forward/midfielder and PSV Eindhoven loanee Bryan Ruiz is the captain and creative fulcrum of a squad that’s defensively sound but may not trouble their glamorous opponents going forward. If they do, Ruiz will be at the center of it, because he’s capable of doing things like this: