Costa Rica plays a 3-5-2 formation with a flexible midfield, making their opponents go through the middle, while they counter attack on the flanks with blazing speed. Two wing backs overlap constantly, with another two midfielders staying back to fill the gaps. The team's real strength is its ability to go forward, notching 25 goals in 14 qualifiers. Rolando Fonseca and Paulo Wanchope lead the attack, both on the field and in the record books for goals scored for their country.
Manager Alexander Guimares took over the squad in January 2001, just before the first round playoff versus Guatemala. Since then, the team has been on a roll, winning 11 times, drawing six and losing only two games.

World Cup History:
Germany 2006 represents Costa Rica's third trip to the finals.
1990: round of 16
2002: preliminary

Stars :
Paulo Wanchope is Costa Rica's top player and record scorer. The 29-year-old recently put and end to his career in Qatar and is back playing ball at home. Defense boss Gilberto Martinez and midfielder Walter Centeno are other players to keep your eye on.

Match Schedule:
June 9: Germany - Costa Rica in Munich
June 15: Ecuador - Costa Rica in Hamburg
June 20: Costa Rica - Poland in Hanover

Squad :
Goalkeepers: Wardy Alfaro (Alajuelense), Jose Porras (Saprissa), Alvaro Mesen (Herediano)
Defenders: Gilberto Martinez (Brescia, Italy), Luis Marin (Alajuelense), Michael Rodriguez (Alajuelense), Harold Wallace (Alajuelense), Jervis Drummond (Saprissa), Douglas Sequeira (Real Salt Lake City, U.S.), Leonardo Gonzalez (Herediano), Michael Umana (Brujas), Gabriel Badilla (Saprissa)
Midfielders: Carlos Hernandez (Alajuelense), Walter Centeno (Saprissa), Christian Bolanos (Saprissa), Randall Azofeifa (Saprissa), Mauricio Solis (Comunicaciones, Guatemala), Danny Fonseca (Cartagines)
Forwards: Ronald Gomez (Saprissa), Alvaro Saborio (Saprissa), Victor Nunez (Cartagines), Kurt Bernard (Puntarenas), Paulo Wanchope (Herediano)

Coach:
Alexander Guimares
A great commander who led the Deportivo Saprisa team to two consecutive winners of '98 and '99 leagues.