clarinews@clarinet.com (JEFF SHAIN, UPI Sports Writer) (02/02/90)
MIAMI (UPI) -- The United States, playing its first game since qualifying for soccer's World Cup, faces Costa Rica Friday night in a tune-up for Italy that it hopes will yield that most precious of commodities -- goals. The U.S. features a strong defense and a stellar goalkeeper in 20-year-old Tony Meola, but it must solve a scoring drought that left the team with an average of 0.75 goals a game during World Cup qualifying. ``We've got to concentrate on what our team wants to do,'' midfielder Hugo Perez said. ``We have to get our work done first, then worry about the others.'' Costa Rica plays the United States in the Marlboro Cup opener, followed by Colombia-Uruguay in a South American clash. The winners meet Sunday night after a consolation game between Friday's losers. All four teams are among the 24 that will play in Italy for the World Cup, which begins June 8. The United States last appeared in the World Cup in 1950. ``Our object has to be to get into competition and see where we are,'' U.S. Coach Bob Gansler said. The United States and Costa Rica will be playing for the third time in less than a year. Each won 1-0 at home during World Cup qualifying. ``We are eager to play the United States again,'' said midfielder Evaristo Coronado, who scored for Costa Rica in its victory. ``The U.S. is a team that demands respect. It's a team that puts up an endless fight. It's a team that stimulates us to play our best.'' Costa Rica, under Coach Marvin Rodriguez, is making its World Cup debut. Coronado is complemented on attack by midfielders German Chavarria and Juan Cayasso and a 21-year-old rising star, Hernan Medford. Colombia and Uruguay enter the tournament with high expectations, both for Miami and the World Cup. Uruguay's rich soccer tradition includes eight appearances in the World Cup, with titles in 1930 and 1950. Two years ago, Uruguay finished second to Brazil in the 1988 Copa America final. ``We are coming to Miami with one objective in mind -- to win the Marlboro Cup,'' Uruguay Coach Oscar Washington Tabarez said. Uruguay is strong on defense, led by Hugo de Leon and Jose Herrera. However, the frontline will be missing midfielder Enzo Francescoli and striker Ruben Sosa, both honoring commitments to European teams. Still, Uruguay is ``a team that will play any rival anywhere -- and I would bet on us,'' Tabarez said. Colombia is relatively new among soccer powers, using strong performances at the South American Championships as a springboard to qualification. Rene Higuita, who recorded back-to-back shutouts against Israel in the final World Cup qualifying round, is an unorthodox but spectacular goalkeeper. He is known for daring runs toward midfield before distributing the ball. ``Once the opportunity presents itself, I go,'' Higuita said. Colombia will be without four key players with European commitments: Andres Escobar, John Jairo Trellez, Leonel Alvarez and Carlos Valderrama.