New York City FC forward Alonso Martínez has scored once and started every match for Costa Rica, while Ariel Lassiter (Portland Timbers) made a substitute appearance before reportedly suffering a hand fracture.
Make no mistake—Costa Rica will be no pushover for Pochettino’s side.
Despite its small size, the Central American nation is a perennial World Cup qualifier with a history of punching above its weight.
This quarterfinal could prove to be the USMNT’s most challenging test yet.***