But new coach Hernandez makes changes in defense When the United States faces Costa Rica in Portland, Ore., Sept. 7, it marks their fourth encounter during qualification for the 1998 World Cup. It’s also Juan Luis Hernandez’s first game at the Costa Rica helm. The Spaniard replaced Argentine Horacio Cordero, sacked after a lackluster 0-0 tie at home against El Salvador. Hernandez will be the third Costa Rican coach the U.S. faces in less than a year, but the players will be familiar from the previous three games, of which Costa Rica won two at home and lost once in California. Costa Rica will be without its usual captain, central defender Ronald Gonzalez, who was red-carded against El Salvador. Young forward Paulo Wanchope, now with England’s Derby County, ran U.S. defenders ragged in previous games, but is injured.
GOALKEEPERS
A tossup Hermidio Barrantes He has been sharing time with Erick Lonnis, who has played in seven qualifiers to Barrantes’ five. But Hernandez was Barrantes’ coach at Cartagines. Barrantes played one game at Italia’ 90 (the 4-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in the round of 16), is tough on penalty kicks and good coming off his line.
Erick Lonnis The Saprissa keeper has started Costa Rica’s last three games. He had little to do against El Salvador (0-0), but conceded the goal in the bad loss in Canada (1-0) after a win over Jamaica (3-1). MLS reject is back in Costa Rican league after a season in Colombia.
DEFENDERS
Elder statesman returns Mauricio Montero The 33-year-old veteran of Italia ’90 ù the U.S. may remember the hard man from tough qualifying games in 1989 ù is making a comeback that some critics say is a symbolic gesture. Hernandez has named the popular Alajuelense leader captain in Gonzalez’s absence, although Montero is much slower than in his prime.
Mauricio Wright It looks like Hernandez is abandoning the flat-back four introduced by his predecessor, and Wright is a candidate for sweeper, although Montero has the edge.
Luis Marin Solid central defender can also play sweeper. He is the only Tico to play in each of the 12 games of France ’98 qualifying. Would probably mark U.S. striker Roy Lassiter.
Harold Wallace The right back set up the winning goal in Costa Rica’s 3-2 Hexagonal win over the U.S. and spent much of the game storming into the attack. But will Hernandez allow Wallace ù formerly a playmaking midfielder ù and the other Tico defenders to come forward during a road game?
Austin Berry The left back, like Wallace on the right, likes to come forward and does so effectively. Missed the El Salvador match after failing a drug test after a league match this summer.
Sandro Alfaro He had a poor game against El Salvador while filling in for Berry.
Victor Badilla His versatility ù he’s played almost every position for Alajuelense ù keeps him in the roster.
Alexander Madrigal An option at stopper or outside back.
MIDFIELDERS
A Lopez-Solis combo Wilmer Lopez The Ticos’ midfield motor caused havoc in their 3-2 win over the U.S. A good passer and tireless runner, he is considered the top player in the Costa Rican league, where he led Alajuelense to the 1996-97 title. The Ticos missed him when he was injured early in the recent El Salvador game.
Mauricio Solis He went to Derby County with Wanchope after an impressive string of matches in fall qualifying. Runs the Tico central midfield along with Lopez and does consistently well.
Roy Myers He spent last season with Medford at Pachuca, which was relegated from the First Division. An excellent dribbler, he’s sometimes criticized for holding the ball too much. Has played in only one Hexagonal game, but is an example of the Ticos’ attacking depth.
Oscar Ramirez An Italia ’90 veteran, the small midfielder was brought back into the fold after defensive midfielder Benjamin Mayorga was lost to injury.
FORWARDS
Medford leads strike force Hernan Medford Costa Rica’s most celebrated player, he scored the gamewinner against Sweden in Italia ’90. Now with Mexico’s Leon, the fast, powerful striker has also played in Spain, Italy, Austria and Yugoslavia.
Jafet Soto An extremely skillful forward, Soto is hard to stop on the wings. Plays club ball with Morelia in Mexico. U.S. fans will remember him for burning the U.S. defense badly with a late goal that resulted in Steve Sampson losing his home debut in ’95.
Ronald Gomez Moved from Spanish First Division club Sporting Gijon ù where he saw time mostly as a substitute ù to Second Division Hercules. He leads Tico scorers in qualifying with four goals.
Froylan Ledezma The 19-year-old whom Ajax Amsterdam bought this season for $5 million after being the second leading scorer in the Costa Rican league (21 goals) underscores Costa Rica’s depth up front. With Paulo Wanchope injured, he could make his qualifying debut against the U.S.
Allan Oviedo The Herediano striker has taken an early lead as the Costa Rican league’s top scorer. Last year, he was tops with 28 goals. But he has scored only once in nine qualifying games and comes off a weak game against El Salvador.
by Soccer America
Senior Editor Mike Woitalla
