Group E: Brazil | South Korea | Spain | Costa Rica
Though the Costa Rican men's team had an impressive 2014 World Cup, the Ticas refused to be left in the shadows, putting their own stamp on the year by qualifying for the Women's World Cup for the first time in history.
The journey
Costa Rica stormed its way through the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship. The Ticas reached the final thanks to an outstanding penalty shootout by their keeper, Dinnia Diaz, who saved all three attempts by Trinidad and Tobago. (Hmm, Costa Rica goalkeeper, PK shootout ... sound familiar?) Not even a 6-nil rout by the U.S. in the final could tarnish their accomplishment of reaching a first World Cup.
World rankings
Costa Rica peaked at 37th overall in last year's FIFA world rankings:
The rep
Costa Rica's impressive technical play is evident in the open field, where the team can switch gears from quick, interchanging passes on counter opportunities to creative dribbles against defenders, to long bombs over the top in a more direct approach -- the team's versatility is a huge asset. New coach Amelia Valverde just took over this year, but she's been a part of the system since 2011. Midfielder Shirley Cruz has been on the senior squad since 2003, and her leadership and composure against the world's best will be as crucial as her ball possession.
Projected formation
Costa Rica is expected to use a 4-4-2 lineup:
The question
Do they have the know-how to play against this caliber of squads? CONCACAF tournaments have provided Costa Rica's players with exposure to the U.S. and Canada, traditional powerhouses in women's soccer. Each time Costa Rica has fallen short against those teams, but it has learned important lessons and returned stronger. Still, experience on the international stage is limited, and that could ultimately leave the team unprepared for teams like Brazil and Korea.
Players to watch
Here are three Costa Rican players who should be on your radar:
• Dinnia Diaz, GK: Diaz is shorter for a keeper at 5-foot-6. But she's fearless in defending the arc and, as she showed in qualifying, could prove herself to be the squad's most important player.
• Gloriana Villalobos, M: Villalobos made her debut for the senior team at 14 -- and that was just last year. She's already played in U17 and U20 Cups for her country and could provide a spark off the bench in Canada.
• Shirley Cruz, M: The headliner of Costa Rica's gold generation, she has played in France since she was 21, currently at PSG. She was voted among the top three for CONCACAF player of the year in 2013 and 2014.
Group-stage schedule
Costa Rica's first two matches will be played at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, while the third match will be held at Moncton Stadium:
• June 9: Spain, 4 p.m. ET
• June 13: South Korea, 7 p.m. ET
• June 17: Brazil, 7 p.m. ET
Foudy's take
I think Brazil takes this group, Spain finishes second and South Korea grabs a third-place spot. Even though Costa Rica had an impressive Women's World Cup qualifying campaign and has an excellent player in Shirley Cruz, it just doesn't have the pace or depth to get beyond this group.
Social scene
Costa Rica women's soccer team headed to World Cup for first time - The Tico Times http://t.co/e0UDZW0DCJ #wwc2015 pic.twitter.com/n9koEwjMuB
- Womens World Cup App (@Womens_WorldCup) May 14, 2015
