Come September, if Fedefutbol president gets his way, Costa Rica’s national soccer teams plans to exact revenge on the U.S. team, retribution for having to play in the snow last month, resulting a loss for the Ticos.
The plan? Play the game at the “Monster’s Cave” (La Cueva del Monstruo), also known as the Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, instead of the big and new National Stadium and with its pristine grass turf.
Costa Rica’s players are used to the Saprissa, a stadium that some call a “house of horrors”. Just last weekend the stadium wasn’t functioning properly in a league clash between Saprissa and archrivals Alajulense. Also, there’s the constant issue of illumination problems, among others.
And there’s the stadium fans. “Saprisistas”, as they are called, are fans extraordinaire. Though it is not the Saprissa team that is on the field, there are Saprissa players on the National Team and, most important, it is in “their” stadium.
Add this to the fact that, the artificial turf and proximity of fans to the fields and lockers, the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa has been a nightmare venue for the USMNT.
The Americans have never won there, holding an 0-7-1 record in World Cup qualifying in Costa Rica.
The game is scheduled for September 6.
