The Ticos have announced their 18-man roster for their upcoming exhibition match against Canada at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium.
Costa Rica announced on Thursday its 18-man squad for a May 28 friendly against Canada, with only one player currently plying his trade on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.The Central American side will face the Canadians at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton in a match that falls outside of the FIFA calendar for international contests.
Ticos head coach Jorge Luis Pinto summoned players from all over the Americas, with Club Brugge defender Oscar Duarte the lone European-based representative. Notable absences include captain Bryan Ruiz (Fulham), Bryan Oviedo (Everton), Christian Bolaños (Copenhagen), and Joel Campbell (Real Betis), with Real Salt Lake striker Alvaro Saborio the most well-known CONCACAF-based player missing from the side.
With many of the bigger names absent, Pinto will rely on a very inexperienced team against Canada, with 30-year-old Michael Umaña (66 international appearances) the cap leader of the group. No one else on the roster has made more than 19 appearances for the Ticos, although veteran professionals like Jairo Arrieta of the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares could be expected to provide leadership to the otherwise youthful squad.
Costa Rica will likely have its full complement of players the following week when it hosts Honduras in World Cup Qualifying on June 7.
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