U.S. Banks on Home Success for World Cup Match
The United States will bank on their excellent home record against CONCACAF teams when face Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier tonight.

The U.S. are unbeaten at home in their last 23 matches against regional rivals while Costa Rica last beat them at home in 1985.

"It's obviously a big game for both teams," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena.

"We are positioned fairly close to each other in the standings right now. We know the significance of trying to win at home, so that certainly is going to be our objective."

Mexico top the group on seven points from three games, followed by the U.S. on six. Guatemala and Costa Rica have four with Panama on two and Trinidad and Tobago on one.

The top three nations automatically qualify for Germany 2006, while the fourth place finisher meets the fifth place Asian nation in a two-leg playoff for the final berth.

"It's still a scramble. Probably, most of the automatic qualification spots are going to be decided on the last day," added Arena.

The U.S, beaten 2-1 by England in a friendly last Saturday, are without midfielders Pablo Mastroeni, John O'Brien and Claudio Reyna while Eddie Lewis tends to a family matter.

Forward Eddie Johnson, who has scored eight goals in eight appearances, returns to partner Brian McBride while DaMarcus Beasley, sidelined with a knee injury for a month, restores some quickness to the Landon Donovan-directed midfield.

Costa Rica, back under the direction of Alexandre Guimaraes who led the Ticos to the 2002 World Cup finals, have a fully-fit squad at their disposal.

"The U.S. has great physical endurance and fitness, said Guimaraes, "but we have tremendous hopes of reversing a trend that has existed over the last 20 years."

Guimaraes is set to field Paulo Wanchope as a lone forward, with Jafet Soto in a withdrawn role linking with a four-man midfield.

Probable teams:

United States: Kasey Keller; Carlos Bocanegra, Cory Gibbs, Eddie Pope, Steve Cherundolo, DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Kerry Zavagnin; Brian McBride, Eddie Johnson.

Costa Rica: Alvaro Mesen, Leonardo Gonzalez, Mauricio Wright, Luis Marin, Victor Cordero, Steven Bryce, Alonso Solis, Cristian Badilla, Mauricio Solis, Jafet Soto, Paulo Wanchope.