Can Costa Rica pull off another football shocker in Canada? At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Costa Rican men’s team surprised many by reaching the tournament quarterfinals. Las Ticas will try to duplicate the success of their male counterparts as they make their Women’s World Cup debut this summer. This is a squad of veterans, including talismanic Shirley Cruz and midfielder Katherine Alvarado, mixed in with a healthy crop of youngsters who have played together at the U-17 and U-20 levels. Last year, Costa Rica successfully hosted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Now it wants to make a statement on the pitch on the game’s biggest stage.
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ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Dinnia Díaz, Noelia Bermúdez and Yirlania Arroyo
Defenders: Gabriela Guillén, Fabiola Sánchez, Karol Sánchez, Daniela Cruz, Lixy Rodríguez, Diana Sáenz and Paula Coto
Midfielders: Cristin Granados, Mariana Benavides, Gloriana Villalobos, Emilie Valenciano, Shirley Cruz Traña, Raquel Rodríguez and Katherine Alvarado
Forwards: María Barrantes, Wendy Acosta, Adriana Venegas, Karla Villalobos, Carolina Venegas and Melissa Herrera
COACH
Amelia Valverde has only been on the job since January—taking over after Uruguayan Carlos Avedissian quit—but she’s knows this team quite well. Valverde was an assistant under Avedissian, including during the qualification process, and she’s worked with the national team since 2011. Valverde said: “I’m very aware of the commitment and the responsibility that goes with this ….It gives me a lot of satisfaction that they are have trust in my work.”
GROUP D SCHEDULE
June 9: vs. Spain in Montreal
June 13: vs. South Korea in Montreal
June 17: vs. Brazil in Moncton
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Costa Rica was one of three nations to qualify for the World Cup out of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship last October when it finished runners-up. Costa Rica finished first its opening group with a perfect 3-0 record and then beat Trinidad and Tobago in the semifinals to book its place in Canada. Its perfect run came to an end in the final when it was hammered 6-0 by the U.S.
TEAM STRENGTH
Costa Rica can score goals, with veteran midfielders Shirley Cruz and Katherine Alvarado the twin focal points of a well-drilled team that likes to play in a 4-3-3 formation and uses a high-energy press to challenge to their opponents. A healthy injection of young legs in the team, especially Gloriana Villalobos and Melissa Herrera, make Costa Rica a high-tempo side that is tough to keep up with.
TEAM WEAKNESS
Costa Rica gave up nine goals in five games in the qualifiers—even lowly Martinique scored against Las Ticas—and they managed just one clean sheet. True, six of those goals came against the mighty U.S., but it just goes to show you how Costa Rica struggles to defend against the team of genuine quality
PLAYER TO WATCH
Carolina Venegas: The 23-year-old forward finished third in scoring at last year’s CONCACAF Women’s Championship we she scored an impressive four goals, including one in the crucial semifinal win over Trinidad and Tobago that secured World Cup qualification for Costa Rica.
BURNING QUESTION
Can they stay organized in defence and thwart their opponents’ attacking efforts? Chances are that if Las Ticas are going to advance to the Round of 16 that it’ll likely be on goal difference. Can they manager to keep things tight at the back and earn a clean sheet or two?
PROSPECTS IN CANADA
The first two games will be the key for Costa Rica, ranked 37th in the world. If Las Ticas can take a combined three points off of Spain (#14) and South Korea (#18) then they have a chance of moving on. Their last game, against seventh-ranked Brazil, is a write off. This is an attacking side that likes to go for it. If they can manage to keep things tight at the back, they could challenge for second place. But chances are they’ll likely finish third, or be headed home after the first round.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Costa Rica has never qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It will make its tournament debut this summer in Canada.