FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Schedule, Preview & Predictions: Costa Rica vs. Trinidad and Tobago
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup doesn't begin until June of next year, but qualifying is underway.
The Costa Rican National Team will face Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m. EST.
The winner of this game will automatically clinch a spot in the 2015 FIFA World Cup, as the top three seeds in the 2014 CONCACAF tournament do.
The fourth place team will get to play Ecuador for a chance to play in soccer's biggest tournament. Canada qualifies as the host nation of the World Cup, so they are not competing in these CONCACAF games.
Costa Rica
The Costa Rican team won Group B with a perfect 3-0 record. They had close one-goal victories against Mexico and Jamaica and then a dominating 6-1 win over Martinique. The men stunned the soccer world when they made it to the quarterfinals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the women are trying to duplicate that success.
Costa Rica currently ranks 40th in the FIFA world rankings. Goalkeeper Dinnia Diaz has allowed just two goals in three games. Costa Rica has a good defense, but their middle fielders are even better. Gloriana Villalobos and Shirley Trana lead the middle of the field for Costa Rica. Forward Carolina Venegas is the leading scorer for Costa Rica so far with three goals, including two against Martinique. Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno has been one of Costa Rica's best offensive players during this competition.
Garabet Avedissian is the head coach of the Costa Rican team. With Costa Rica and Mexico finishing atop Group B, Jamaica and Martinique have been eliminated.
Trinidad and Tobago
Located just north of Venezuela, the small island nation of Trinidad and Tobago women's National Team is trying to make their first-ever World Cup appearance. The Trinidad men made their lone appearance in 2006, in Germany. Trinidad and Tobago finished second place in Group A behind the United States, who had a perfect 3-0 record. Trinidad and Tobago had a 2-1 record with wins over Haiti and Guatemala and a loss to the United States.
Kennya Corder has been by far Trinidad's best offensive player so far. She scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Haiti and a goal in a 2-1 victory against Guatemala. There's no doubt Costa Rica will have their eyes focused on her all game long.
This Trinidad squad ranks No. 46 in the FIFA world rankings. Randy Waldrum is the head coach of this team, and he also the head coach of the Houston Dash soccer team. Trinidad and Tobago have a great defensive unit led by Arin King, Brianna Ryce and Khadisha Debessette.
Schedule, Where to Watch
Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago will play each other at 4:30 EDT on Friday, Oct. 24. The game will be played at the PPL Park Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania. The game will be shown on FOX SPORTS 2. Live game streams can be found here.
Prediction
This should be a great game between two teams that are a combined 5-1 this tournament so far. The winner of this game will then face the winner of the United States against Mexico in the next round. Trinidad and Tobago has a great defense, but Costa Rica should be able to come out with a win.
Costa Rica wins 3-2
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