Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
As part of the preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the USA and Costa Rica national teams will face off. The match will take place late on Thursday night, January 23, starting at 01:00 Central European Time. I suggest betting on the winner of this game.
Match Preview
The USA has shown confident performances recently. The team is actively preparing for upcoming major tournaments, using friendly matches to test their roster.
In recent games, the Americans have achieved several convincing victories, gradually adapting to Mauricio Pochettino's tactical demands. For this training camp, the coach will rely solely on MLS-based players, giving them a chance to secure spots in the lineup.
Costa Rica, on the other hand, is undergoing a rebuilding phase. The team has struggled with defensive and organizational issues, which has impacted their results.
This team is preparing for the start of the qualifying campaign for the next World Cup, but their recent performances have been lackluster. This match will allow the coach to evaluate reserve players.
Match Facts
- The USA has won their last three matches.
- Costa Rica has drawn their last three away matches.
- The USA averages 2.2 goals per game at home, while Costa Rica averages 0.6 goals per game away.
Predicted Lineups
- USA: Schulte, Arfsten, Robinson, Campbell, Moore, Cremaschi, McGlynn, Kei, Clark, Miljevic, Agyemang.
- Costa Rica: Sequeira, Cascante, Calvo, Lassiter, Gamboa, Flores, Brenes, Zamora, Madrigal, Vargas, Martinez.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
Costa Rica has not beaten the USA on American soil since 2017.
Prediction
The USA appears stronger both in physical preparation and game organization. Costa Rica has the potential to surprise with the experience of their key players, but their problematic defense might be the deciding factor. My prediction is a victory for the hosts.
