The last time the U.S. men's soccer team took the field they came back from a two-nil deficit to win 4-3 in Bosnia-Herzegovina as Jozy Altidore netted three goals and assisted on a fourth.
It was an impressive result, on the road and in southeast Europe, but the match was an exhibition and the Yanks benefited from several half-time substitutions made by the hosts, which diluted the Bosnian first team and opened the door for the Americans' comeback.
The U.S. team has Redlands native Landon Donovan back for World Cup qualifying, but the Yanks can expect a more difficult test Friday evening when they take the pitch in Estadio Nacional, San Jose, Costa Rica.
The match is for real points to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brasil, and though the Americans have a record-setting 12 wins in a row across all competitions, they have a less than stellar road record in these quadrennial qualifying competitions.
And they have never won in Costa Rica, where everyone who cares about soccer remembers the blizzard match March 22 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
The U.S. men, with a roster including players from the Inland Empire, beach cities of Southern California, and Chula Vista in San Diego County, defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in a full-on snowstorm.
The referee picked up the ball and delayed the match briefly with the U.S. ahead 1-0 in the 54th minute, but allowed play to continue. The field crew used shovels and snow tractors to clear parts of the field at times, to no avail.
Costa Rica protested to FIFA, the sport's governing body, but the result was upheld. Now the entire Ticos universe is mad at the U.S. and they are hungry for Costa Rican revenge tonight in Estadio Nacional.
Coachella Valley supporters of the U.S. men's national team plan to meet Friday evening in La Quinta to pull for the Yanks. Whether they are pleased with the outcome later tonight remains to be seen.
To read more about the blizzard match click here:
WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Californians, Costa Ricans Play in Colorado Blizzard
For more about the gathering this evening in La Quinta click here:
ROAD TO BRASIL 2014: U.S. Soccer Supporters Want Coachella Valley Chapter of American Outlaws
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