Coming off its first loss of 2022 World Cup qualifying Sunday night, the US Men's National Team will return to Columbus Wednesday to take on Costa Rica in the final match of the current qualifying window.
The US had won back-to-back qualifying matches before Sunday's 1-0 loss at Panama.
Through five of 14 qualifying matches, the US is currently in second place in Concacaf World Cup qualifying standings, three points behind Mexico. Costa Rica currently sits in fifth, just a point behind the US.
The top three finishers are guaranteed a spot in the 2022 World Cup. The fourth-place team will take part in an Intercontinental playoff for the last spot.
On Wednesday, the US will return to home soil for the first of five remaining home matches during World Cup qualifying.
Wednesday's match will mark the 11th World Cup qualifier to be played in Columbus since 2000 and the first at the new Lower.com Field. Columbus has been friendly for the USMNT, with the red, white and blue posting a 7-1-2 record since 2000.
“We believe Columbus gives the U.S. Men's National Team the best home-field advantage of any city in the country,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission Executive Director Linda Logan said. “For two decades, we’ve been the site of historic moments for the USMNT. Hosting World Cup qualifying matches is the essence of our mission to create a world-class athlete and fan experience. The energy around Lower.com Field will be unlike anything Columbus has ever seen, and we can’t wait for fans from around the world to see what the Columbus sports experience is all about.”
Through its first five qualifying matches, the USMNT has scored seven goals, with six of those coming in just two matches. The US defense has surrendered just three goals.
Costa Rica has scored just three times while conceding three goals as well.
In World Cup qualifying in 2018, Costa Rica upset the US 2-0.
The US and Costa Rica are set to kick off at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lower.com Field. The USMNT will return to qualifying on November 12 against Mexico at TGL Stadium in Cincinnati.