World Cup quarterfinalist core leads Costa Rica at Copa America
The core of Costa Rica's 2014 World Cup quarterfinalist squad returns to lead Los Ticos at Copa America Centenario.
The likes of Arsenal forward Joel Campbell and Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bryan Ruiz will guide Costa Rica, which is in the USA's Group A along with Paraguay and Colombia, though Real Madrid goalkeeper misses out with an Achilles injury. The are new faces in defense, with World Cup holdovers Johnny Acosta, Oscar Duarte, Michael Umaña and Christian Gamboa being joined by five others, including MLS defenders Kendall Waston and Ronaldo Matarrita. Everton's Bryan Oviedo, who missed the World Cup with an injury, is included in the squad as well.
Another change is in the dugout, where Oscar Ramirez is the manager for Costa Rica, with Jorge Luis Pinto now in charge of Honduras.
Here is Costa Rica's roster in full:
GOALKEEPERS: Esteban Alvarado (Trabzonspor), Danny Carvajal (Saprissa), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense)
DEFENDERS: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Francisco Calvo (Saprissa), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Christian Gamboa (West Brom), Ronald Matarrita (NYCFC), Bryan Oviedo (Everton), Jose Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Michael Umaña (Persepolis FC), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps)
MIDFIELDERS: Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Christian Bolaños (Vancouver Whitecaps) Celso Borges (Deportivo de la Coruña), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Lisbon), Yeltsin Tejeda (Evian), Johan Venegas (Monteral Impact)
FORWARDS: Joel Campbell (Arsenal), Alvaro Saborio (D.C. United), Johnny Woodly (Deportivo Carmelita), Marcos Ureña (Midtjylland)
