Mexico is entering Costa Rica with momentum on its side for a crucial clash at the famed Estadio Saprissa. Since the start of the Gold Cup, Mexico has won six of seven games, drawing one game against Panama. Mexico has also enjoyed success at the Estadio Saprissa before. Four years ago, Los Ticos scored two early goals en route to a 2-1 win.
Costa Rica hopes to have its captain Walter Centeno, who has an injured thigh, fit for the start. A longtime member of Costa Rican powers Saprissa, Centeno played in every game for Costa Rica in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Should Centeno not recover from the injury, Coach Rodrigo Kenton would likely pair either Cristian Oviedo, a 31-year-old based in Alajuelense, or Carlos Rodriguez, a 27-year-old out of Australian side Melbourne, in Centeno’s spot in the middle of the field.
A Mexico win would put El Tri even with Los Ticos on points. Costa Rica, which has 12 points, should need to win to maintain its lead in the Concacaf standings. Honduras and the United States both have 10 points, and both host the respective bottom-feeders in Trinidad and El Salvador on Saturday.