Compelling Soccer

USA v. Costa Rica 8 PM Eastern

USA: 19 pts, 1st in the table, +6 GD

Costa Rica: 15 pts, 3rd in the table, 0 GD

Stakes: The US has nothing on the line in this one except pride. That factor might be upped more than normal tonight as the team tries to overcome the loss of Charlie Davies for likely through the World Cup after the striker was involved in a horrific car crash. For Costa Rica, the World Cup is on the line. A victory sends them to South Africa. Anything else means a Honduras win in El Salvador would send them home. Not even a draw would help; the teams would finish tied and Costa Rica's awful goal differential would leave them empty handed.

Thoughts on the Opposing Side: Costa Rica is normally in the mix for the third spot in CONCACAF but were sitting pretty three months ago. Then spankings at the hand of Honduras and Mexico combined with a draw against supposed doormats El Salvador have left the Ticos fighting for their World Cup dream with a new coach. They abused the Soca Warriors Saturday night but will face a far better side and won't have the awful turf of the Saprissa to help them this time.

Questions I Have: There should be no doubt about the mind set of Costa Rica. If you can't get up for this type of game, with your World Cup dreams on the line, why are you bothering?

For the US, it's a different story. Their qualification is assured, a seed in the World Cup is next to impossible and they have the Davies situation on their minds. Do they use it as motivation or come out in a daze? Both scenarios are possible, but we won't know until we see them play. We'll also see how the standing ovation to Davies in the ninth minute by the crowd at RFK affects the players.

Unfortunately, the search for Davies' replacement begins tonight. So what does Bob Bradley decide to do up top? Does he pair Saturday's hero Conor Casey with likely Cup starter Jozy Altidore? Does Altidore remain on the pine, with Kenny Cooper getting a look? Does Brian Ching get the start? Or perhaps do we see Landon Donovan up top and Benny Feilhaber or Jose Francisco Torres inserted into his place in the midfield?

Of course who is to say the US plays it's A team tonight? It could be a good chance to get the subs a look. And in light of yesterday's tragic events, it just goes to show you need to see your depth whenever opportunity provides it.

Will I Be Watching: Definitely; and Live Blogging.

Expectations: Win it for Charlie boys.