US to host Costa Rica in Sept. 2 friendly in LA

Published Jul. 5, 2011 7:48 p.m. ET

foxsports

The U.S. men's team will host Costa Rica on Sept. 2 in a rare friendly between the regional rivals.

U.S. Soccer announced the game set for Carson, Califonia, on Tuesday, the first of two September friendlies. The Americans then play Belgium in Brussels four days later.

The U.S. and Costa Rica meet frequently in CONCACAF play, but this is their first friendly since 1995. The two teams had a 2-2 draw on Oct. 14, 2009, that cost Costa Rica a spot in last year's World Cup. Costa Rica dropped to fourth in North and Central American and Caribbean region qualifying, and then lost in a playoff to Uruguay, which ultimately reached the semifinals.