USA vs Costa Rica Predictions

• USA were unbeaten in 13 internationals (W11, D2) prior to their 1-0 weekend defeat in Panama.
• The Stars and Stripes are unbeaten in their last 16 home starts, winning 14.
• Costa Rica are winless in their last nine away trips, losing five and failing to score in six.

USA hard to oppose back on home soil

USA’s 13 match unbeaten sequence was ended by Panama at the weekend, but The Stars and Stripes look set to hit straight back this Thursday when they entertain poor travellers Costa Rica in Columbus, Ohio.

Gregg Berhalter’s charges were undeniably poor at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez on Sunday, where Anibal Godoy’s second half goal for Panama proved decisive. That result has really closed things up in the CONCACAF standings, and while the USA remain second, they’re just two points ahead of fifth placed Costa Rica going into this midweek tie.

Defeat in Panama further highlighted the limitations of this USA side in terms of the impact (or lack of) that they can potentially make at Qatar 2022, though their qualification for the finals should still be a formality.

Berhalter’s side have enjoyed a decent 2021 overall capped by a seventh CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph, and bar Mexico, they’re unlikely to be troubled by any of their qualification rivals on home soil.

Travel sickness for Los Ticos

The Stars and Stripes are unbeaten in their last 16 home outings, winning 14, including a 4-0 friendly romp against Costa Rica in June. Their opponents travel to Ohio this week having lost just one of their five final stage qualifiers so far (W1, D3), though Los Ticos’ recent travelling record is dire with four draws and five defeats posted in their last nine.

Luis Fernando Suarez’ men have also failed to score in six of those away trips, so a home win to nil is our selection this Thursday with USA keeping clean sheets in all but one of their last seven home starts.

The USA haven’t been quite so prolific in front of goal in recent matches, netting more than once in just two of their last eight, so any victory for hosts here is likely to be comfortable rather than emphatic. With that in mind, we’re also predicting a 1-0 correct score.