The USA Soccer Team played against Costa Rica in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Elimination Rounds at Estadio Ricardo Sapissa in San Jose Costa Rica. The crowd was 19,200 spectators and the result was not as expected for the United States.

In the first half, Costa Rica drew blood with the first goal by Saborio within two minutes of the game. The crowd went wild and the US was trying to recuperate from the shock left by Saborio. It piled mistakes upon mistakes with the goalkeeper unable to avoid the second goal via a direct kick by Borges.

The goals by Saborio and Borges occurred within the first fifteen minutes of the game. Costa Rica continued its celebration until Freddy Fernandez received a warning for his anti professional behaviour at 30 minutes. The rest of the first half was the scene of Costa Rica playing in a disciplined and organized manner leaving the US dazed.

The first half finished with a scoreless US Soccer Team against the two points from Costa Rica. Both teams planned their strategies during the intermission and the second half began.

Costa Rica was able to continue its dominance of the game in spite of Herrera receiving a yellow card. In fact, Herrera scored the third goal for Costa Rica while the USA was reeling from the yellow cards that Bradley and Klejstan received.

The USA tried to save the situation with Donovan scoring one point on the basis of a penalty kick. While it was the first time Donovan scored for the US Team since 2000, it was not enough to save the game.

After the game, the USA fell into second place behind Costa Rica in the CONCACAF 2010 FIFA World Cup Elimination Rounds. Can the team recover from its loss? It can under certain conditions which are the following: discipline, tenacity, and maybe an influx of new soccer players since Donovan and many others appeared fatigued.

The underwriter has faith in that this situation can be resolved although the US Soccer Team and the sport itself is in the adolescent phase.

Costa Rica 3-1 USA

Most Valued Players: Saborio, Borges, Herrera