MLS Multiplex
Fansided

USMNT Vs Costa Rica: 3 things to watch for

By Adnan Bašić

BRADENTON, FLORIDA - JANUARY 10: The US Men's National team practices during a training session at IMG Academy on January 10, 2020 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - JANUARY 10: The US Men's National team practices during a training session at IMG Academy on January 10, 2020 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
BRADENTON, FLORIDA – JANUARY 10: The US Men’s National team practices during a training session at IMG Academy on January 10, 2020 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA – JANUARY 10: The US Men’s National team practices during a training session at IMG Academy on January 10, 2020 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

This weekend, the USMNT close out their January camp and get 2020 underway with an international friendly against Costa Rica. Here are three things to watch for.

The United States Men’s National Team return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

It might just be a friendly but that does not mean this game does not matter. The continental rivals will both be looking to kick off the new year in style and a win would help either program build confidence for the future.

Related Story. USMNT Vs Costa Rica: Gregg Berhalter roster brings excitement. light

Here are three things to watch for ahead of the contest.

USMNT, Gregg Berhalter
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 06: United States head coach Gregg Berhakter at the end the first half of the International Friendly soccer game between the the United States and Mexico on September 6, 2019 at LetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Kicking off 2020

This will be the first time we get to see the USMNT play this year, and it’s crucial the team gets off to a good start. 2019 was an underwhelming year. Improvements were minimal, shock defeats plentiful, and new head coach Gregg Berhalter failed to impress, with many starting to doubt whether he was the right man to lead the country going forward.

Berhalter is running out of time to get things together as the CONCACAF region will begin its World Cup qualifying campaign in the summer. If the U.S. starts off poorly, they could risk missing the sport’s biggest tournament for a second-straight occasion, which would be utterly disastrous.

That simply cannot happen, so Berhalter will need to maximize this weekend’s friendly to give his team some much-needed momentum. 2020 is going to be incredibly important for the USMNT, so it’s vital they get off to a winning start by beating Costa Rica.

Home/U.S. Soccer