Fulham standout Bryan Ruiz and Real Betis striker Joel Campbell headline Costa Rica's 23-man roster when it faces the United States' men's national team during this month's CONCACAF World Cup qualifier.
Costa Rica manager Jorge Luis Pinto also included Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio and Everton defender Bryan Oviedo ahead of their match against the United States on Mar. 22 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
USA goalkeeper Tim Howard is likely will miss the Americans' World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica after suffering two broken bones in his back. Aston Villa's Brad Guzan is likely to take over in goal in what would be his first qualifiers in four years.
The Americans lost 2-1 at Honduras last month in their opener of the final round of qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean, with new central defenders Geoff Cameron and Omar Gonzalez struggling in front of Howard. Costa Rica, meanwhile, has one point in World Cup qualifying thus far after playing Panama to a 2-2 draw in February.
The top three nations in the finals, which also include Jamaica and Panama, advance to the 32-team field at next year's tournament. The No. 4 team goes to a playoff for another berth, likely against New Zealand.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Keilor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense)
Defenders: Juan Diego Madrigal (Santos de Guápiles), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Michael Umaña (Saprissa), Johnny Acosta (Dorados de Sinaloa), Giancarlo González (Valerenga), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls), Bryan Oviedo (Everton), Christopher Meneses (Alajuelense)
Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK), Osvaldo Rodríguez (Santos de Guápiles), Cristian Bolaños (Copenhagen), Ariel Rodríguez (Pérez Zeledón), Keylor Soto (Pérez Zeledón), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Diego Calvo (Alajuelense), Bryan Ruiz (Fulham), Mauricio Castillo (Cartagines)
Forwards: Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake), Joel Campbell (Real Betis), Jairo Arrieta (Columbus Crew)
