Traditionally, the 10 teams of the CONMEBOL play each edition of the Copa America and they are joined by two guests. This year, Mexico and Japan were invited. Following the earthquake in Japan, the Asian team pulled of the competition in May. Costa Rica who had just lost in the quarter final of the Golden Cup to Honduras accepted the invite.
Costa Rica wants to take full advantage of this invitation and make a good impression in South America. For that the team led by the Argentinean Ricardo La Volpa, will count on their youth. Indeed Costa Rica like Mexico will compete with their Olympic team in other word their U23 squads. Only five more experienced players will go to Argentina: Johnny Acosta (27), Heiner Mora (27), Jose Miguel Cubero (24), Cesar Elizondo (23) and Randall Brenes (28).
But their stars are in the young players: Esteban Alvarado, goalkeeper of AZ Alkmaar, and Campbell, from Deportivo Saprissa, are the fans favourite and the country’s hopes for the future.
Costa Rica played three Copa America in the past. First in 1997 in Bolivia, where didn’t make it through the first stage. And then in 2001 and 2004 where they were eliminated in the quarter finals. For the 2011 edition, with Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia in their group, Costa Rica can consider it an achievement if they manage to go through the first stage.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Esteban Alvarado (AZ Alkmaar, HOL), Danny Carvajal (San Carlos, CRC), Leonel Moreira (Herediano, CRC).
Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense, CRC), Francisco Calvo (San Jacinto College, USA), Óscar Duarte (Saprissa, CRC), Kevin Fajardo (Santos, CRC), Jorge Gatgens (Pérez Zeledón, CRC), Pedro Leal (Puntarenas, CRC), José Salvatierra (Alajuelense, CRC)
Midfielders: Heiner Mora and David Guzmán (Saprissa, CRC), Hansell Arauz (Santos, CRC), José Miguel Cubero (Herediano, CRC), Allen Guevara and Luis Miguel Valle (Alajuelense, CRC), Diego Madrigal (Cerro Porteño, PAR).
Forwards: Randall Brenes (Cartaginés, CRC), Jorge Castro, César Elizondo, Josué Martínez and Joel Campbell (Saprissa, CRC).
Group Stage:
Colombia, July 2 in Jujuy
Bolivia, July 7 in Jujuy
Argentina, July 11 in Cordoba
Statistics:
FIFA ranking: 56
Appearances in the Copa America: 3
Copa America best: Two-time quarter-finalists
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