[INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY] The Portland Timbers' Rodney Wallace, one of three MLS players in the starting lineup, scored the first goal for Costa Rica in its 2-0 win at Venezuela in a friendly played on Thursday in Barquisimeto.

Wallace, who was born in Costa Rica and grew up in the Washington, D.C., area, gave Costa Rica the lead in the 42nd minute.

The Chicago Fire's Gonzalo Segares and New York Red Bulls' Roy Miller started on the backline for Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto.

Chivas USA's Michael Umana accompanied the team but did not play.

The USA will play Venezuela, looking to qualify to the World Cup for the first time, on Jan. 21 in Glendale, Ariz.

Venezuela was without its top foreign-based players.