The Costa Rica Women’s National Team could not keep up with the pace of the United States and fell 3 to 1, on the second date of the group stage of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
Sele had a first half where they were able to recover from a goal in just 10 minutes (Kathleen Collins), compete with the intensity of the opponent, and come out with 1-1, which fills them with hope. However, in the second half, it was impossible to stop the North Americans, even if they were a U-19 team.
The United States is a world power in all its categories and asserts its tactical, technical, and physical superiority. In just four minutes they took advantage of two indifference on the scoreboard and were sentenced through Claire Hutton (72′) and Emeri Adames (76′).
The Ticos goal was scored by Tanisha Fonseca, in the 34th minute. Fonseca, only 15 years old, will not forget the header he connected, after a corner kick where he dominated the air. A historic mark for the Sporting FC attacker.
“I’m happy with the score, I’m the smallest in the group and it means a lot to me. I am very excited to score, this is my first competition with the National Team and it helps me a lot in the process I am doing and what is to come,” commented Fonseca in the statements of the National Olympic Committee.
The youth front is part of the generational change that Costa Rica is trying to make. Tanisha, along with Alexa Herrera (18 years old), Sheika Scott (17) and Alexandra Pinell (21) are the present and the future of Tricolor and they are gradually gaining experience.
Three more starts against the Americans. Coach Benito Rubido made only two changes to his stellar lineup, compared to the first game, and gave space to Mariana Benavides and Fonseca, instead of Stephannie Blanco and Carolina Venegas.
The adjustment worked at the beginning, but errors occurred at the start and mark of the National, which complicated everything and made it impossible to get anything else.
“We didn’t come in well, the truth is we weren’t comfortable, but we sat down and reacted. In the second half, the opponent restructured and we lacked energy,” said Rubido.
Costa Rica still dreams of qualifying
The Costa Rican National Team debuted in the Pan American Games with a 0-0 victory against Argentina, last Sunday, in the debut of coach Benito Rubido at the helm of the national team.
Although the defeat against the United States complicated the whole situation, in Tricolor they have not thrown in the towel and hope that with the combination of the results of the last day, they will qualify.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gruponacion/YZCYJ3JKD5AT5BXLIJGVOPW6L4.jpeg "The Costa Rica Women'S Team Experienced Four Tragic Minutes Against The Us")
Sele also took part in group B with Bolivia, who were beaten 6-0 by the Americans, on the first date and will play against the Argentines on Wednesday, at 3 p.m.
Costa Rica’s third game is against Bolivia and will be played next Saturday, October 28, at 3 p.m., while the Albiceleste will close against the North Americans.
“Bolivia is a very different opponent, which will be better for us. We will see what they did against Argentina and we will analyze what is coming,” said Rubido.
Only the two best teams in each group will advance to the semifinals. In group A, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay, and Jamaica are fighting for the tickets.
Details of the match between Costa Rica and the United States:
– Costa Rica: 1
Subjects: Génesis Pérez, Gabriela Guillén, Mariana Benavides, Alexa Herrera, Mariela Campos, Tanisha Fonseca, Alexandra Pinel, María Paula Elizondo, Emilie Valenciano, Fabiola Villalobos and Sheika Scott. DT. Beni Rubido.
Substitutions: Yoanka Villanueva (Fonseca, in 58′), Mariela Campos (Herrera, in 74′), Carolina Venegas (Scott, in 74′), and María Paula Porras (Pinel, in 82′).
– United States: 3
Titulares: Sonoma Kasica, Gisele Thompson, Aven Álvarez, Nicola Fraser, Ava Mc Donald, Amalia Villarreal, Lauren Martinho, Kathleen Collins, Claire Hutton, Klinger Eleanor, Jordyn Bugg. DT. Carrie Kveton.
Substitutions: Emeri Adames (Mc Donald, in 46′), Kendall Bodak (Collins, in 64′), Grace Restovich (Eleanor, in 69′) and Samantha Smith (Thompson, in 76′).
Goals: 1-0 (10′): Collins. 1-1 (34′): Fonseca. 2-1 (72′): Hutton. 3-1 (76′): Adames.
Referees: María Belén Lupera with Stefania Del Rocio Paguay, Joselyn Karina Romero and Stefani Escobar.
Stadium: Elias Figueroa, Valparaiso, 10 am
