PORTLAND, Ore. – Columbus Crew striker Jairo Arrieta got on the score sheet as all four of Costa Rica’s MLSers started and helped the Ticos to a 3-0 win over Cuba in CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C play at JELD-WEN Field on Tuesday evening.
Arrieta put back his own rebound in the 71st minute for Costa Rica’s second goal of the game and his fourth overall in a national team shirt. Midfielder Michael Barrantes scored on either side of halftime to make the game a rout.
Real Salt Lake star Álvaro Saborío started up top next to Arrieta and wore the armband for Central American side in a 79-minute shift. He troubled the Cuban backline throughout, though he was at fault for an offside call in the 67th minute that negated a third Barrantes goal.
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Local hero Rodney Wallace started on the right wing for Costa Rica and put in an active 58 minutes on his home turf before exiting to appreciative chants from the North End collection of Timbers Army and American Outlaws.
New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller started at center back next to ex-Chivas USA man Michael Umaña. Miller had a decent chance on goal 21 minutes in when he slammed a header off a cross over the goal.
Costa Rica next face Belize on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, while Cuba – now winless in 10 straight Gold Cup matches – take on the US in the first game of the doubleheader (12:30 pm PT, Fox Soccer).
