Gold Cup: Ticos on tap for USA in Hexagonal preview

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jul 19, 2017

The USA will face Costa Rica in the semifinals of the Gold Cup, a preview of their key Sept. 1 meeting in World Cup 2018 qualifying. The Ticos reached the semifinals for the first time since 2009 with a 1-0 win over Panama.



Best Costa Rica Finishes:
1991: Fourth place
1993: Third place
2002: Second place
2003: Fourth place
2009: Third place
Note: Gold Cup final fours.

The only goal of the game was came when San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Anibal Godoy headed a cross into his own goal in the 77th minute.

The Ticos had made four changes for the quarterfinals, losing Joel Campbell, Christian Gamboa, Bryan Oviedo and Johan Venegas to injuries. Right before the start of the tournament, NYCFC's Ronald Matarrita withdrew with a broken foot that will sideline him for 3-4 weeks.

Of the four players called in, only Vancouver Whitecaps center back Kendall Waston started against Panama.

July 19 in Philadelphia
Costa Rica 1 Panama 0. Goal: own goal 77.
Costa Rica -- Pemberton, Salvatierra, G.Gonzalez, Waston, Acosta, Calvo, Guzman, Ruiz, Tejeda (Gutierrez, 86), Urena, Ramirez (A.Gonzalez, 65).
Panama -- Calderon, Murillo, Escobar, Chen, Ovalle, Cooper (Arroyo, 58), Gomez (Heraldez, 68), Barcenas, Godoy, Camargo (Pimentel, 71), Torres.