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The U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Costa Rica by a pair of goals mid-day Saturday at Avaya Stadium as Gregg Berhalter continues his positive start.
Saturdays are for the Stars & Stripes. pic.twitter.com/x9m7Ic1nFg
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) February 2, 2019
After a slippery slugfest of a first half with chances few and far between, the Americans began to look livelier in the attack. Nick Lima slammed a close-range effort off the post before Djordje Mihailovic narrowly missed connecting on the breakthrough goal.
LA Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget, a player who’s career was almost ended by a horrific foot injury on this same surface vs. Honduras two years ago, entered the match in the 64th minute and almost immediately won a corner kick as the pressure began to pile on the Costa Ricans: Minutes later Christian Roldan’s smart footed volley outside the box smashed the post for a second time.
Finally the U.S. went ahead in the 80th minute when the excellent Lima floated a far-post ball that Lletget calmed re directed across the keeper and into the net.
THERE IT IS! @SLletget's glorious return to @AvayaStadium gets the #USMNT on the board! pic.twitter.com/HBd416sbsY
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) February 2, 2019
Paul Arriola would seal the game late with a clever chip courtesy of a through ball from Da’ Boy.