5/6/2007 - 18:41(EST)

Costa Rica debuts against Canada

The Gold Cup has always been won by a Northern CONCACAF team, but Costa Rica is trying to break this trend.

05/JUN/07 - The “ticos”, current Central American champions, will play the opening match of the Gold Cup when they face Canada on Wednesday.

The Costa Rican team coached by Hernán Medford, favorite to win group A also share the group with Haiti and Guadaloupe who also play Wednesday in the Orange Bowl in Miami.

According to Medford, Costa Rica wants “to change history”.

“We are going to try to win the Gold Cup and qualify for the Confederations Cup”, this has been the coaches stance before the tournament.

Host U.S.A. and Mexico, the two have won 7 of the 8 titles, are favorites to once again win the Gold Cup.

Costa Rica, with their touch and offensive game, are capable of beating anyone.

“It’s better that other teams are labeled as favorites, because we it’s going to be difficult. It’s better to arrive quiet”, stated tico defender Michael Umaña.

Costa Rica finished their preparation with a 3 – 0 win over Chile over the weekend, but Medford received the bad news of the injuries of Bryan Ruiz and Alonso Solís, both of which are important to the team. Andy Herron and Johnny Cubero were called up to replaced the injured players.

“I’m not changing my opinion about winning the Gold Cup because two players got injured, all of the players here are very good and the ones arriving also”, stated Medford.

Canada, champion in 2000, tied win Venezuela 2 – 2 over the weekend.

They have not achieved much since their surprising title six years ago, when they beat invitee Colombia in the final.

The Canadians are coached by interim coach Stephen Hart. Dale Mitchell will assume the role of coach after the Under 20 World Cup being held in Canada in July.

The teams spinal cord is made up of Houston Dynamo striker Dwayne de Rosario, midfielder Julián de Guzmán of Deportivo de La Coruña of Spain.

The game begins at 7 p.m.est

Terra/AP