CARSON, Calif. -- LA Galaxy and U.S. National Team legend Cobi Jones knows all about the spirit of the Costa Rican national team and he isn't surprised in the slightest about their showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Ticos have been the underdogs of the tournament by winning a Group D that included three past World Cup champions in Italy, England and Uruguay and then reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their nation's history by defeating Greece in a thrilling penalty kick shootout. They'll now take on Netherlands for a chance to be the first CONCACAF team to reach the semifinals in the tournament's modern era.
While many have been shocked about the Ticos's showing, Jones who tallied 164 caps for the U.S. while scoring 15 goals -- one of which came against the Ticos -- has been impressed by the fight that Costa Rica has displayed against the globe's soccer powers.
"I’m supporting Costa Rica. They are from CONCACAF so I’m supporting Costa Rica all the way. Their defense has been so strong, especially in the midfield where they’ve gotten a lot of credit. That’s where it is really starting," Jones told LA Galaxy Insider. "[Yeltsin] Tejada is doing an excellent job, [Christian] Bolanos as well. Winning the ball at the midfield and starting the attack early on has been something to see. What I like about it, the team like Costa Rica, Colombia and Chile and even Switzerland, they are going for it. They have gone all out. Some have been knocked out, some are still going, but they are saying “if we are going to go doing, we are going down swinging.” There is going modern style, more offensive and more attacks, and I like it, it’s great to see. It’s good for TV."
