Ronald Matarrita played a key role as Costa Rica thrashed the United States in San Jose on Tuesday night.
The NYCFC full-back, who was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year yesterday, played the 90 minutes and claimed an assist for his country as they swept Jurgen Klinsmann’s USMNT aside 4-0.
Montreal Impact’s Johan Venegas opened the scoring a minute before the half, heading home a cross from Vancouver’s Cristian Bolanos before the floodgates opened in the second period.
Bolanos himself doubled the advantage after 68 minutes with another header before Arsenal’s Joel Campbell climbed off the bench to finish off two counter attacks.
The second of these goals, and Los Ticos’ fourth of the night, was assisted by the excellent Matarrita, who produced a sublime lofted through ball which cut out both US central defenders and allowed Campbell a clean run in on goal.
It was a famous victory for Costa Rica which maintained their perfect start to World Cup qualifying, with two wins from their two games, putting them clear at the top of the Hex.
Elsewhere on the continent, Tony Taylor made his international debut for Panama as they held Mexico to a goalless draw.
Taylor came on as a 77th minute substitute in the match as Hernan Gomez’s side claimed an unlikely point which leaves them with four points from their two games.
Costa Rica return to action in January for the Copa Centroamericana where they’ve been placed in a group alongside Guatemala and El Salvador, while Panama will face Belize and Nicaragua.
