Voice of God insists USA meet Costa Rica at the Monster’s Cave

saprissa stadium

By Mark Baber
April 22 – In a move that is being presented in some quarters as retaliation for their loss to USA in a blizzard in Colorado and in others as expected, the Costa Rican football federation has asked FIFA permission to play the return leg at the Saprissa Stadium which is known as “the Monster’s Cave”.

After Costa Rica lost 1-0 to the USA in the Nieve Guerra (Snow War), the Central Americans unsuccessfully appealed to FIFA for a replay due to the conditions and the matter was the subject of an April Fool’s day article on 11v11 (http://www.11v11.com/blogs/11v11/247-usa-awarded-walk-over-top-world-cup-qualifying-group.html), as fans suggested playing the return leg in a swamp.

Costa Rican officials now say they intend to schedule the crucial September 6 World Cup qualifying match on the artificial pitch at the intimidating Saprissa Stadium, where the visiting dressing room is just below the main stand, rather than at the National Stadium which was opened in 2011.

In the last meeting between the two sides at Saprissa, in June 2009, Costa Rica won 3-1 and the USA have never beaten Costa Rica at the venue in eight attempts.

Soccer federation president Eduardo Li admitted on Radio Rican DNA that the Saprissa Stadium required improvements to be able to host the game but “the voice of the people is the voice of God, and if people want us to play there, we will play in the Saprissa against the United States.”

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734963729labto1734963729ofdlr1734963729owedi1734963729sni@r1734963729ebab.1734963729kram1734963729