Ugalde and Martínez Look to Ignite Costa Rica's Attack

Costa Rica’s national team is preparing for back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, and a key tactical question has emerged: Can two central strikers coexist effectively? According to La Nación, both Manfred Ugalde and Alonso Martínez not only think it’s possible — they thrive on it.

Ugalde recently topped the scoring charts in Russia with 17 league goals for Spartak Moscow, while Martínez has found the net eight times in 16 MLS matches. Head coach Miguel Herrera seems inclined to deploy them together, betting on their chemistry and scoring form.

“We have a good relationship. He’s a serious player. We both carry the role of striker and we’re in great shape,” said Ugalde during a media session ahead of the upcoming qualifiers. Martínez was even more enthusiastic: “Honestly, I’ve never felt so comfortable with another forward. We know how to alternate — when I hold the ball, Manfred comes close to support.”

Their interplay offers tactical flexibility: Ugalde plays as a traditional center-forward while Martínez drops deeper to link up with midfielders. With matches scheduled for June 7 and 10, this duo could be key to rebuilding confidence ahead of the upcoming Gold Cup.

When asked about his future, Ugalde kept it simple: “Right now, I’m focused on the national team. That’s all that matters.”