Copa America Centenario: Costa Rica vs Paraguay Preview

The casual soccer fan probably sees this afternoon’s Costa Rica and Paraguay matchup as a match lacking star power and quality.  However, such an assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.  Sure, Costa Rica will be without Keylor Navas and Paraguay without Roque Santa Cruz, the golden boy of Paraguayan soccer…but this is still a matchup that is sure to excite.

Squad Overviews

Many would label Costa Rica’s run to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup as a Cinderella story, but I don’t buy it.  La Sele lost to the Netherlands on penalties, a result that could’ve easily gone the other way, and the majority of their World Cup squad will be in Orlando to take on Paraguay today.  As previously mentioned, Costa Rica will be without Keylor Navas after finishing a gruelling season with Real Madrid that ended with a victory in the UEFA Champions League Final. However, their side will still feature elite footballers (Campbell, Arsenal; Cristian Gamboa, West Brom; Bryan Oviedo, Everton), captained by the silky-smooth Bryan Ruiz (Sporting CP).  As a USMNT supporter, I would kill for our squad to be littered with players that ply their trade at the highest levels of European soccer.  With a team featuring Ruiz, Campbell, Gamboa, and Oviedo, Costa Rica has the ability to dominate every third of the field.

Paraguay, however, is not a team at which any of us should scoff.  Sure, they don’t have a sexy squad filled with dynamic impact players currently playing in Europe, but to expect little of Paraguay would be naïve.  Before missing the 2014 World Cup, La Albirroja had participated in every world cup since 1998 and only failed to make it out of group play ONCE.  If you remember the 2010 World Cup, Paraguay almost stunned Spain in the quarterfinals (frankly, Spain was lucky to win after missing 2 PKs and dodging a bullet with a miraculous PK save by Iker Casillas).  During that World Cup, Paraguay’s attack was led by Nelson Haedo Valdez, the guy I affectionately call The Paraguayan Samurai due to his long hair, top knot/bun swag and his swift, powerful, and calculated attacking presence.  Again, Valdez will feature for his side in a major tournament, and he will be looking to add to the 13 international goals already on his résumé.

What to look for

Both sides possess the quality to get on the score sheet once, if not twice.  Bryan Ruiz should command the final third of the field for Costa Rica, making fluid runs and linking up play as a deadly #10 behind the young starlet Joel Campbell.  Oviedo should be able to move up and down the flanks to add extra attack help, while Gamboa commands the back line like he does in the EPL, albeit for below average West Brom.  Gamboa and his defensive comrades will have to be at their best, since they won’t have Navas behind them to cover up any mistakes.

Look for Paraguay to try and slow things down and to not give Costa Rica a lot of room in the final third.  Costa Rica’s quality shouldn’t sneak up on Paraguay, and they probably know they’ll need to concede no more than 1 goal if they hope to get a result.  Paraguay might not be as smooth in link up play, but they possess the grit and guts that have time and again proven they have what it takes to win at the highest international level…but will hard work and the will to win be enough to win this game? I don’t see it happening.

Prediction: Costa Rica 2-1

Safe bet: Costa Rica to win

Risky bet: Over 2.5 & 3 goals

Best bet: Both teams to score