Well this has to be the first time in my life I have been in a city when the U.S. National team is playing a game and I won't be there. . .The U.S. takes on Costa Rica on Saturday night in a very pivotal World Cup qualifier for the Ticos (that is what they call Costa Rican here, aren't I so cool?). . .The U.S. is atop the group and has secured its place in next year's WC in Germany (along with second place and much hated U.S. rival Mexico). Not to bore you non-soccer (football) fans with details, but the team who finished third in the group will advance to Germany while the team who finishes 4th advances to a one-game playoff against a team from the Asia/Japan group (the other two teams in the group -- likely Trinidad and Tobago and Panama-- go home with their tales between their legs where they will undeveloped be treated as outcasts and losers for not getting their third-world countries into the World Cup. . .So with two matches to go in qualifying a lot is on the line for Costa Rica. The U.S. will treat its final two games more as try-outs for its fringe players before the roster is nailed down in the spring of '06. But for the Ticos this game could pivot them into World Cup (a loss still gives them a chance as Costa Rica and Guatemala wrap up qualifying against each other, with the winner likely to take third in the group). . . So, having said all of that, tickets are hard to come by and there was a story on the national news last night (yes Costa Rica has that) about all the counterfeit tickets going around. This is a huge game and event for this country, so me being the soccer-mad fan that I am will be playing it safe and watching the game from the comfort of my apartment.
Go USA!!
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