Costa Rica National Team manager Oscar Ramirez has submitted the 40-man preliminary roster for the 2016 Copa America Centenario happening this summer in the United States. Tournament rules require the final 23-man roster to be turned in no later than May 20 to the Local Organizing Committee, which all teams must comply with. All the players on the final list must come from the preliminary roster.
Los Ticos look to surprise
Out of 40 names included in that team, a majority of them were a part of the side that ended up quarterfinalists at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. Of the big names included are star goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Real Madrid, Bryan Ruiz of Sporting Lisbon and Joel Campbell of Arsenal. The final 23-man roster will be announced on May 16.
A large section of the squad hails from Major League Soccer, with six players on Los Ticos playing their soccer in the United States. Their three games in Group A will consist of a match against Paraguay on June 4 in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, against the hosts, the United States, in Chicago, Illinois at Soldier Field and finally against Colombia in Houston, Texas at NRG Stadium.
The 40-man roster
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid, Spain), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Esteban Alvarado (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Leonel Moreira (Herediano).
Defense: Cristian Gamboa (West Bromwich Albion, England), José Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Allan Miranda (Herediano), Dave Myrie (Herediano), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps, United States), Michael Umaña (Persépolis, Iran), Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Pablo Salazar (Herediano), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol, Spain), Junior Díaz, (Darmstadt, Germany), Roy Miller (Saprissa), Ronald Matarrita (New York City FC, United States), Bran Oviedo (Everton, England), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew, United States), Francisco Calvo (Saprissa), Bismarck Acosta (Brann Bergen, Norway).
Midfielders: Diego Madrigal (Alajuelense), Marvin Angulo (Saprissa), David Guzmán (Saprissa), Yeltsin Tejeda (Evian, France), José Miguel Cubero (Herediano), Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruña, Spain), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Johan Venegas (Montreal Impact, United States), Deyver Vega (Brann Bergen, Nouega), Diego Calvo (Saprissa), Cristian Bolaños (Vancouver Whitecaps, United States).
Forwards: Joel Campbell (Arsenal, England), Ariel Rodríguez (Bangkok Glass, Thailand), Yendrick Ruiz (Herediano), Alvaro Saborío (DC United, United States), Marco Ureña (Midtjylland, Denmark), David Ramírez (Saprissa), Johnny Woodly (Carmelita)