Costa Rica Hosts US in Key World Cup Qualifier
02 June 2009
The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team takes on host Costa Rica Wednesday in a final round World Cup qualifying match for the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region. The U.S. leads the group standings, but has never won a qualifier in Costa Rica, whose team could take over the top spot with a victory. The United States is trying to reach theCup for a record sixth consecutive time. 
The match will be played in San Jose's Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, where the team known as "Los Ticos" enjoys a strong home field advantage. The venue is infamously loud. The playing surface is artificial turf and its boxy design puts the seats at a steep angle, making it seem as though the 24,000, chanting, stomping, drum-beating fans are almost on top of the field.
While such an atmosphere could present an intimidating and nerve-racking experience for the visiting squad, U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley has a positive outlook about the game. He says a win in Costa Rica is a good example of something his team still wants to achieve.
"Costa Rica has had great success at Saprissa Stadium. It is loud, and they are very comfortable there. They have great confidence there. And certainly we are aware that we have never won there. We know these kind of games require a real commitment as a team, a good game plan, and finally just good efforts on the day. It is a big challenge, but one that we are very excited about," Bradley said.
As for the slick, plastic field, "players will tell you that the game is not the same on artificial turf. It think we always feel that the game is best, on a very good natural surface," he said. "The game on artificial turf depends on a few things. One is the quality of that turf? The second factor is, is the turf dry? Has it been wet down? Is it raining? These are all things that affect the speed of the game, the bounces, it affects how much give there is in terms of players, when they are cutting or going to the ground," he added.
Wednesday's match in Costa Rica is game four of 10 final round qualifying matches for the six-team CONCACAF region. Game five against third place Honduras is Saturday in the U.S. city of Chicago, where the Americans will have a heavy home field advantage. The United States has not lost at home to a regional opponent in 52 straight games since 2001.
Coach Bradley says the U.S. has had a good start in its qualifying matches, but the team is aware that Costa Rica and Honduras also have played well so far.
"We certainly view these two games as being very, very important. Quite obviously, Costa Rica and Honduras are tough opponents. We feel very strongly that we have a great opportunity now to put ourselves in a good position as we go into the last five matches," Bradley said.
Mexico, El Salvador, and the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago are the other three nations in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group. The top three teams will earn berths in next year's World Cup tournament in South Africa.
The United States leads the group standings with seven points from the first three games. Costa Rica is second with six, Honduras is third with four points. Mexico is fourth with three points, while El Salvador, and Trinidad and Tobago are tied at the bottom of the group with two points each.
Saturday April 18th will be the Extreme Challenge Jacó 2.0
The race starts at 4:00 pm. This event is a race that begins in front of the Municipality of Garabito and travels a distance of 10 kms (asphalt - sand - asphalt) to get back to the Municipality. The course is totally flat and there will be hydration every 2 kilometers.
If you wish to participate, you can enter in the Cantonal Committee of Sports Garabito M -F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm, Monday to Saturday Pavas Runners from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm, Runners Curridabat 9: 00 am - 6:00 pm, Heredia Runners from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm and Sports Tibás of 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm.
The pre-sale is January 10th to February 28th and the regular sale is from March 1st to April 10th (includes T-shirt, medal and hydration). The categories are: children, seniors, Special Olympics and walk. There will be great prizes and raffles and tennis apparel sponsors. For more information visit www.retojacoextremo.com www.atletismoextremo.com or you can contact 2643-4020.
El sábado 18 de abril se estará llevando a cabo la carrera Reto Jacó Extremo 2.0
A las 4:00 pm. Este evento consiste en una carrera cuya salida es frente a la Municipalidad de Garabito y se recorrerá una distancia de 10 kms (asfalto – arena – asfalto) hasta llegar nuevamente al punto de partida.
El relieve es totalmente plano, habrá hidratación cada 2 kilómetros. Si usted desea participar puede inscribirse en: el Comité Cantonal de Deportes Garabito de L-V de 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, de Lunes a Sábado en Runners Pavas de 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, Runners Curridabat de 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Runners Heredia de 10:00 am – 6:00 pm y en Deportes Tibás de 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
La pre-venta es del 10 de enero al 28 de febrero y la venta del 1 de marzo al 10 de abril (incluye camiseta, medalla, higratación). Las categorías son: infantil, mayor, olimpiadas especiales y camianta. Habrán grandiosos premios y rifas de tenis y ropa de los patrocinadores. Si desea mayor información puede visitar www.retojacoextremo.com o www.atletismoextremo.com o puede contactar al 2643-4020.
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FESTEJOS POPULARES QUEBRADA GANADO 2009, 27 Feb.- 9 Marzo
FROM FEBRUARY 27TH TO MARCH 9THTO BENEFIT THE ASOCIACION DE DESARROLLO INTENGRAL. Quebrada Ganado is going to celebrate Festejos Populares Quebrada Ganado 2009 with bullfights, dances, 4x4 races, motocross, "cuadracross", sales of food, tope (horse ride), concerts, Queen Herradura 2009 (little girls and young) contest, soccer games and more. For more information contact the president of the Association of Quebrada Ganado Mr. Freddy Alpízar at 8825-7012 or the Vice-President Mr. José Adaniz at 8355-9227. Enjoy those events and collaborate with the community.
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FESTEJOS POPULARES QUEBRADA GANADO 2009, 27 Feb.-9 Marzo
DEL 27 DE FEBRERO AL 9 DE MARZO DEL 2009 A BENEFICIO DE LA ASOCIACION DE DESARROLLO INTEGRAL DE ESA COMUNIDAD. En Quebrada Ganado se llevará a cabo los Festejos Populares Quebrada Ganado 2009 con corridas de toros, bailes, cuadracross, motocross, 4x4, juegos mecánicos, venta de comidas, tope, conciertos, reinado, juegos de futbol y más. Para mayor información contactar al Presidente de la Asociación Sr. Freddy Alpízar o al Vice – Presidente Sr. José Adaniz. Visite este hermoso pueblo, disfrute de los eventos y colabore con la comunidad.
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SATURDAY February 21st SURF SERIES
IN BACKYARD BAR AND HOTEL AT 4P.M IN PLAYA HERMOSA. The Backyard Surf Series is an event held every Saturday at 4 pm. It is an open surf contest in "expression session" format. No entry fee and $300 cash prize. In the water you will see some most progressive surfing in Latin America from members of the Costa Rican national team. Everyone is welcome to come and compete. 5 pm we start with a variety of great bands from all over the country. Don’t forget our beachfront b.b.q. the best ribs on the planet!
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ESTE SABADO 21 DE FEBRERO SE REALIZARA EL SURF SERIES
EN EL HOTEL BACKYARD A PARTIR DE LAS 4:00 PM EN PLAYA HERMOSA. El Back-yard Surf Series es un evento que se lleva a cabo todos los sábados a partir de las 4:00 pm. Es un concurso de surf open en categoría "expression session". No se paga por inscripción y el premio es de $ 300 en efectivo. En el agua, verá algunos de surfos más progresivos en América Latina, miembros del equipo nacional de Costa Rica. Todos son bienvenidos a probar suerte y competir. A las 5:00 pm empezamos con una gran variedad de bandas de todo el país. No olvide nuestra b.b.q en la playa. las mejores costillas del planeta!
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KREWE SIRENA CARNAVAL ESTERILLOS OESTE ON SATURDAY, FEB. 21ST 2009.
Next Saturday 21st is going to be a parade at 2:00 pm starting at the Soccer Field in Esterillos. Decorate your Floats, Cars, Trucks, Bicycles, Horses. The prizes to be given for best decorated. ***BEADS, CANDY, DOUBLOONS, AND MORE*** Will be party & dance after the Parade. Pre-register your floats, truck, cars, horses, wagon, tractors and trailers for the parade on Saturday, Feb. 14th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at El Vago, Esterillos Oeste. This activity is for the Fundraiser for chairs and supplies for the school in Esterillos Oeste, donations welcome. For additional information please contact Martha at 2778-7371 (English) or Steve at 2778-7137 (Spanish). Paid parking will be available.
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KREWE SIRENA CARNAVAL ESTERILLOS OESTE A SABADO, 21 DE FEBRERO 2009.
El 21 de febrero habrá un desfile a las 2:00pm iniciando en la plaza deportes. Puede decorar sus carrozas, autos, camiones, bicicletas, caballos, chapulín, lo que usted guste. Habrá fiesta y baile después del desfile. Para registrar su camión, auto, caballo, bicicleta, chapulín para el desfile puede hacerlo el sábado, 14th de febrero a partir de las 10:00 am a 2:00 pm en El Vago en Esterillos Oeste. Se recaudaran fondos para comprar sillas y otros suministros para la escuela en Esterillos Oeste, cualquier donación es bienvenida. Para mayor información contacte a Martha al 2778-7371 (inglés) o bien a Steve al 2778-7137 (español). El pago de parqueo estará disponible.
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Valentines Day Saturday February 14th
