U.S. Soccer has cloaked the team in secrecy as it prepares for its crucial qualifier against Costa Rica, but SA Editors Ridge Mahoney and Will Kuhns provide an update from Columbus. The depleted ranks of the U.S. national team have been further trimmed in recent days as it prepared for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica at Columbus Crew Stadium. Already lacking midfielders Earnie Stewart, Eddie Lewis and Claudio Reyna because of suspensions, the U.S. coaching staff is dealing with injuries to John O’Brien, Eddie Pope and Chris Armas. A blood clot has already knocked out Brian McBride, for perhaps the next few months. Tab Ramos didn’t report to camp because of a groin injury that has been bothering him. Arena would have brought him in if he started for the Metros in Game 3 against the Fire last Friday — he played 16 minutes as a sub. U.S. Soccer has not confirmed the status of players bothered by injuries, nor has it announced the lineup for tonight’s game. O’Brien, who had been expected to direct the midfield in Reyna’s absence, is suffering from tendinitis in his left foot and has not trained the past few days. He is not expected to play. “It’s just the effect of playing a lot of games in a short time,” said O’Brien, who arrived in Columbus after spending a few days with his family in Southern California following the Olympic Games. Pope, probably the best option to mark Costa Rican forward Paulo Wanchope, is bothered by a sore back and is a doubtful starter. He was on the field Tuesday night during the final U.S. training session. Armas is battling a few minor injuries but is expected to anchor the U.S. as a defensive midfielder. Joe-Max Moore and Ante Razov are expected to start up top, and Moore is hoping for a better showing than he had in the Sept. 3 match against Guatemala at RFK Stadium. The U.S. squeaked out a 1-0 win on a goal by Brian McBride playing 10 men against 11 for the final 18 minutes. In the absence of McBride, Moore feels the responsibility to lead the attack. “I feel confident,” said Moore. “Myself, I have to make a difference, make an impact, and get us on the board early, hopefully.” Wanchope has been bothered by a quadriceps injury, the description of which has ranged from “minor” to “troublesome” depending on the source. Assistant coach Alexander Guimaraes told American journalists Tuesday night Wanchope will start. Still unclear is how Coach Bruce Arena, who is serving the first game of a three-game suspension and cannot sit on the bench, will communicate with assistant coach Dave Sarachan. He will watch the game from a booth in the stadium and both he and Sarachan will have cell phones. Neither FIFA and CONCACAF have officially addressed the issue if such electronic communication is permitted. “If there’s something I have to tell Dave,” Arena said, “I’m sure there’s a way we can do it.” U.S. Soccer has cloaked the team in secrecy during its preparation by refusing to release an official roster. Arena acknowledges the competitive edge gained over the Costa Rican team is probably minimal, but added, “It’s also a distraction to our players and the [coaching] staff to keep answering questions about who’s here and who’s not, so maybe that helps us.” Costa Rican striker Hernan Medford said, “It doesn’t matter the names or the players on the [U.S.] team, they have our respect no matter where or when we play them.” Wanchope and Medford are the main danger men, but both Rolando Fonseca and Jafet Soto are both capable of carving open the U.S. defense. The roster includes William Sunsing and Mauricio Wright of the New England Revolution and Mauricio Solis of the San Jose Earthquakes. For Costa Rica, the only notable absence is midfielder Wilmer Lopez. The projected lineup is: GK — Alvaro Mesen; D — Jervis Drummond, Reynaldo Parks, Alexander Madrigal, Harold Wallace; MF — Soto, Walter Centeno, Rodrigo Cordero, Fonseca; F — Wanchope, Medford. The U.S. is tied with Guatemala, which beat Barbados on Sunday 3-1, in CONCACAF Group E in second place with seven points. Costa Rica leads the group with nine, and can clinch a spot in the final round with a victory, as can the U.S. A loss tonight does not doom the U.S. It has one qualifier remaining, on Nov. 15 at Barbados. On the same day, Guatemala hosts Costa Rica. — Ridge Mahoney and Will Kuhns