The United States women's soccer team put on the show of shows at the World Cup in Canada earlier this summer. Jill Ellis will put her team back on display for the first time since triumph on the international stage on Sunday against visiting Costa Rica.
ODDS ANALYSIS
As of Thursday evening, there are still no odds posted for this match, but you can bet that the Americans are going to be heavy favorites of at least three goals or so. Yes, the United States ran into troubles in attack for the most part in the World Cup until the very end against Japan, but that shouldn't be the case here against a Costa Rican side which is nowhere near as powerful as the teams which the U.S. ran up against in Canada.
KEY INJURIES
The United States isn't going to be putting forth its best foot in this match even though it is the first fixture for the team on what is being dubbed as its "Championship Tour."
Alex Morgan had some knee surgery right after the World Cup and has not played at any level since that point. Hope Solo is questionable for this match as well. Sydney Leroux, who more or less fell out of favor at the World Cup is not being called up for the match after she underwent ankle surgery last month.
RECENT FORM
Both of these teams were last on the pitch at the World Cup, and both had great success. The Americans went 6-0-1 in the seven matches played in Canada, culminating with a 5-2 victory over Japan in a spirited final. Costa Rica didn't win a match in the World Cup, but it did put together an 0-2-1 record, leaving it just short of the knockout rounds.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This Costa Rican team is definitely up and coming. Las Ticas were the runners up in the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, and they put on a good show behind net minder Dinnia Diaz, who ended up stopping 19 shots in the tournament, third most amongst all goalies in Canada.
Still, the Costa Ricans had some major problems in defense throughout the World Cup, and the last time they faced the U.S., they were beaten 6-0 thanks to four Abby Wambach goals.
The Americans still have plenty of attacking options even if Leroux and Morgan don't play. Wambach should be in the Starting XI along with World Cup hero Carli Lloyd. Christen Press is ready to take a step forward as a striker as well, and it wouldn't be surprising if she played big minutes in this fixture, too.
The United States midfield is truly stacked. Morgan Brian, Lauren Holiday and Tobin Heath are going to be a part of the future of the USWNT, but Heather O'Reilly and Megan Rapinoe are both still current stars and are just 30.
Don't be surprised if Ellis plays around in defense as well, perhaps giving Whitney Engen, Kelley O'Hara and Julie Johnston a little more playing time as well.
Regardless of how you slice it though, this is going to be an ugly match for the Costa Ricans. If they find a way to keep five out of the back of the net in Chattanooga, it's been a successful night for them. We don't think they'll be able to do so, though.
United States 5, Costa Rica 0
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