World Cup Team Checks: Costa Rica
March 16, 2006
World Cup Qualifers
Costa Rica made it to the finals with a third-place finish in the CONCACAF zone and beat the USA 3:0 for their ticket to Germany in the second to last qualifier.
Stars
Paulo Wanchope is Costa Rica's top player and record scorer. The 29-year-old recently put and end to his career in Qatar and is back playing ball at home. Defense boss Gilberto Martinez and midfielder Walter Centeno are other players to keep your eye on.
Trainer
Brazil's Alexandre Guimaraes, the man who brought Costa Rica to the 2002 World Cup, is still calling the shots for the Costa Rican team.
World Cup History
Germany 2006 represents Costa Rica's third trip to the finals.
1990: round of 16, 2002: preliminary
Match Schedule: preliminary round
June 9: Germany - Costa Rica in Munich
June 15: Ecuador - Costa Rica in Hamburg
June 20: Costa Rica - Poland in Hanover
World Cup Base
Costa Rica is staying in Heidelberg.
Outlook
A round of 16 finish at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Costa Rica made it clear they are a team who shouldn't be underestimated -- a 1:1 draw in the 2002 Cup against Turkey, who would later go on to finish third, proved the point. This year the side has set its sights on meeting or beating its 1990 result.