Costa Rica reaching the final round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers bought them a place in the top group, League A (12 countries, with four groups of three).  This is the inaugural year of the Nations League, and in the tournament are the 41 member associations of CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football).  Mexico has been rated the top team for the Nations League tournament, with the United States and Costa Rica trailing closely behind.  The group stage will also serve as qualifiers for the Gold Cup in 2021, which has now expanded from 12 to now 16 teams.  Group stages will last into late November, with the semi-finals and finals a date in June of 2020 that is still yet to be determined.  Costa Rica’s next match will be this Sunday at 6:00 CST against Curaçao, the 18th ranked country.  Two other very note-worthy games, both to be played this Tuesday the 15th are Canada vs The United States (5:30 CST) and Mexico vs Panamá (7:30 CST).  Vamos Ticos!

*photos by Goal