CONCACAF Qualifying

Costa Rica – USA

The United States will endure a difficult week with two 2010 World Cup qualifying matches within three days.

The US team is facing Costa Rica on Wednesday in San Jose, Costa Rica. They have a dismal record playing there, losing six matches and being outscored 13-4.

Hostile fans and funky artificial turf is another obstacle waiting for the Americans.

The U.S. arrived in San Jose on Monday without a few key players due to their injuries. Maurice Edu has a knee injury, Steve Cherundolo is out because of hip surgery last month and Frankie Hejduk has a groin injury.

Coach Bradley brought 24 players to Costa Rica, most of them coming from European clubs.

Costa Rica is second in CONCACAF qualifying group, only one point behind leader USA.

On Saturday the U.S. team will be in Chicago were they host Honduras. This will be the first time Soldier Field is hosting a World Cup qualifier. “Our mindset is that if we can get four of six points out of the next two games, we are very close to qualifying,”Landon Donovan said.

The top three countries will qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Both matches will be televised live on ESPN and Galavision.