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CNN —In just one month with Inter Miami, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi already has his team reaching new heights. Messi’s goal against Philadelphia was his ninth in just six games since joining Inter, scoring in each of his six matches so far to sit atop the Leagues Cup scoring chart. After Josef Martinez opened the scoring for Miami, Messi scored in the 20th minute with a low rocket from more than 30 yards out. In the other Leagues Cup semifinal Tuesday, Nashville SC defeated Monterrey 2-0 to set up a final against Miami. The Leagues Cup, an annual tournament between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, was expanded this year to include all teams in each league.
Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Josef Martinez, Andre Blake, Jordi Alba, Alejandro Bedoya, David Ruiz Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Philadelphia Union, Miami, CONCACAF Leagues, Philadelphia, Inter, Leagues, Nashville SC, Monterrey, MLS, Liga Locations: Argentine, Spanish, Philadelphia, Nashville , Tennessee
Forest sign U.S. keeper Turner from Arsenal
  + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
Aug 9 (Reuters) - Nottingham Forest have signed goalkeeper Matt Turner from Arsenal with the United States international signing a four-year deal, the two clubs announced on Wednesday. No financial details were given but British media said Forest will pay seven million pounds ($8.92 million) for Turner plus three million in performance-related add-ons. Turner shot to fame in Major League Soccer where he made 111 appearances for New England Revolution before moving to Arsenal last year. It's felt right from the start and I'm happy it's got done." Arsenal are expected to replace Turner with Brentford keeper David Raya, according to British media.
Persons: Matt Turner, Turner, Aaron Ramsdale, Steve Cooper, It's, Ola Aina, Anthony Elanga, David Raya, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, United States, CONCACAF Gold, CONCACAF Nations League, Major League Soccer, New England, Gunners, Premier League, Brentford, Thomson Locations: Nottingham, Bengaluru
CNN —Lionel Messi continued his impressive start to life in the US, scoring twice as Inter Miami advanced to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup after a penalty shootout on Sunday. The 2022 World Cup winner’s moment of magic forced a penalty shootout with a spot in the final eight on the line. And Messi once again stepped up, calmly slotting home his penalty, while 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi converted his spot-kick to seal a 5-3 victory for Inter Miami. “It is true that we count on the best player in the world,” said Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino “and you can’t ignore that.”Messi one of Inter Miami's penalties against FC Dallas. The Leagues Cup is joint competition organized by the top-tier soccer competitions in the US and Mexico which features every club in the top two leagues in North America.
Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Jordi Alba, Benjamin Cremaschi, , Gerardo Martino “, ” Messi, LM Otero Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Leagues, Sunday, Argentine, FC Dallas, Miami, Inter, AP Inter Miami, Houston Dynamo, Charlotte FC, Concacaf Champions League Locations: Barcelona, Florida, Mexico, North America
Anson Dorrance knew he was a pioneer during his eight years as head coach of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT). Any understanding of how and why the USWNT is women’s soccer’s dominant force, a four-time Women’s World Cup winner and favorite to win the next edition currently taking place in Australia and New Zealand, must start with Dorrance, the groundbreaker and the bricklayer. Five years later, the first Women’s World Cup was held in China – not that it was initially labelled a World Cup as world governing body FIFA worried it might not be a success. A third-placed finish followed at the 1995 Women’s World Cup, and then came the Atlanta Olympics a year later. The success of 1999 would lead to the world’s first professional women’s soccer league, the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA).
Persons: CNN —, , Anson Dorrance, “ You’re, Dorrance, , , Michelle Akers, ” Akers, Mike Ryan, , Akers, IX, I’m, ” Dorrance, “ There’s, Lori Lindsey, Lauren Cheney, Darryl Dyck, George Bush, Barry Thumma, didn’t, ” Caitlin Murray, Murray, David Cannon, Billie Jean King, “ We’ve, Lindsay, USWNT, Harry, Brandi Chastain’s, “ We’re, ” Brandi Chastain, Robert Beck, Chastain, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy et, Megan Rapinoe, they’re, it’s, ” Rapinoe, Richard Heathcote, Lindsey, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rapinoe, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Taylor Swift Organizations: CNN, US, National, CNN Sport, Dorrance, men’s, University of North, Coaches, FIFA, America, Soccer, Federal, Olympic, Canada, American, High School, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Guatemala, CONCACAF, Canadian Press, Central, USA, “ National, Atlanta Olympics, Getty, US Soccer, revelled, China, Rose, Women’s United Soccer Association, National Women’s Soccer League, “ 99ers, Tokyo, England Locations: Australia, New Zealand, University of North Carolina, Italy, Seattle, Irish, United States, England, Brazil, Central Florida, China, Norway, New York, Hamm
CNN —Soccer players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will on average earn just 25 cents for every dollar earned by men at their World Cup last year, a new CNN analysis found. In addition to prize money, FIFA committed to paying $42 million to the federations and players’ clubs for Women’s World Cup preparations. Havana Solaun (R) and Jamaica are appearing at their second ever Women's World Cup. But for the players, equal pay encompasses more than simply closing this gap to the salaries enjoyed by male footballers. June 2023 A record $110 million prize pot negotiated for the Women’s World Cup, at least $30,000 guaranteed for every player.
Persons: Gianni Infantino, Sam Kerr, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Bob Marley’s, Cedella, Havana Solaun, Brendon Thorne, hadn’t, Jamaica’s Chinyelu Asher, , ” Asher, Asher, Saeed Khan, Morgan, Rapinoe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Brad Smith, ” Jonas Baer, Hoffmann, FIFPRO’s, It’s, that’s, , Infantino, Baer, , ringfenced, Ali Riley, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Riley, “ It’s, ” Ali Riley, Catherine Ivill, Women’s Soccer Australia Heather Reid, ” Riley, England’s Lionesses, ” FIFPRO’s Baer, – Carli Lloyd, Hope, Becky Sauerbrunn –, ” Lloyd, — Jan, USWNT, Lloyd, ” Reid, Organizations: CNN — Soccer, CNN, FIFA, New Zealand, Women’s, US, National, Australia, Havana, Getty, Jamaica Football Federation, , CNN Sport, Forbes, USSF, CONCACAF, Africa, of Nations, Olympic, , Canada Soccer, teams, Women’s Soccer Australia, English Football Association, French Football Federation, Royal Belgium Football Association, FIFA’s, US Soccer, States Women’s National, Football Federation, USWNT, Soccer, Court, Central, Central District of, The New York Times, LA Times, Guardian, Reuters, Locations: Australia, New, New Zealand, Jamaica, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Havana, AFP, France, Infantino, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, United States, Qatar, country’s, Sweden, Spanish, England, Central District, Central District of California, Canadian, El, China
The Common Goal initiative will provide mental health training to coaches from more than 15 youth sports organisations, focusing on issues including anxiety, depression and loneliness, after the World Cup. "It’s long overdue that our soccer communities put mental health at the forefront when we discuss player care," Common Goal USA Executive Director Lilli Barrett-O’Keefe said in a statement. The United States are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title, and fifth overall, at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, kicking off their campaign on Saturday against Vietnam. The American soccer players are the latest athletes to take up the cause of mental health, after Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles and four-times tennis major winner Naomi Osaka helped flip the narrative on a topic once seen as taboo in high-level sport. Reporting by Nathan Frandino in Auckland, writing by Amy Tennery; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons: Daniel Becerril, Naomi Girma's, Katie Meyer, Katie it's, Sophia Smith, Katie, Lilli Barrett, O’Keefe, Emily Fox, Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Smith, Nathan Frandino, Amy Tennery, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, Concacaf, Costa Rica, Estadio Universitario, United, REUTERS, Tribune, Stanford University, Stanford, Vietnam, Fox, Thomson Locations: States, Costa, Monterrey, Mexico, AUCKLAND, United States, U.S, Australia, New Zealand, American, Auckland
[1/5] Jul 16, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Mexico forward Henry Martin (20) and forward Uriel Antuna (15) celebrate in the first half against Panama during the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsLOS ANGELES, July 16 (Reuters) - Second-half substitute Santiago Gimenez scored with two minutes left to give Mexico a 1-0 win over Panama in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Sunday and secure a record-extending ninth title for 'El Tri'. God, my family and the people who came today, 75,000 people. The victory was a welcome one for Mexico, who had failed to make it beyond the group stage at last year's World Cup. It also denied underdogs Panama, who upset the United States in the semi-finals, their first Gold Cup title.
Persons: Henry Martin, Uriel Antuna, Kirby Lee, Santiago Gimenez, Edson Alvarez, Gimenez, Henry Martin's, Orlando Mosquera, Panama’s Harold Cummings, Panama's, Edgar Barcenas, Jaime Lozano, Diego Cocca, Rory Carroll, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Panama, CONCACAF, SoFi, USA, LOS ANGELES, El, U.S, Nations League, Thomson Locations: Inglewood , California, USA, Mexico, El Tri, Argentina, United States, Canada, Panama, Los Angeles
CONCACAF suspends four US, Mexico players after semi-final
  + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
Montes was sent off before the United States were reduced to 10 men when midfielder McKennie was red-carded following a melee. The United States emerged victorious thanks to a Christian Pulisic double that helped secure a 3-0 win over Mexico. McKennie and Dest are not part of the United States squad for the forthcoming Gold Cup, while Montes and Arteaga are included in Mexico's roster. It was not immediately clear if McKennie and Dest missing the games will count toward their suspension. The United States beat Canada 2-0 over the weekend in Las Vegas to win their second successive Nations League title.
Persons: Leeds United's Weston McKennie, West Ham, Declan Rice, Andrew Couldridge, Weston McKennie, Cesar Montes, Gerardo Arteaga, Montes, McKennie, Arteaga, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, West Ham United, Leeds United, London, Leeds, CONCACAF, Nations League, United States, Reuters, United, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, United States, Mexico, North America, Central America, Caribbean, Montes, Canada, Las Vegas, Bengaluru
CNN —Four players have been suspended after last week’s bad-tempered soccer match between the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Mexico, which was marred by pushing and shoving between the two teams. The contest was also ended about four minutes early following discriminatory chants from the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The four players who were red carded during the match on June 15 have all been handed suspensions for “on-field player misconduct,” continental governing body Concacaf announced on Friday. The USMNT won the match 3-0 and went on to win the Nations League title with a 2-0 victory against Canada three days later. In the upcoming Gold Cup, the USMNT faces Jamaica in Chicago on Saturday and Mexico plays Honduras in Houston on Sunday.
Persons: Mexico’s César Montes, USMNT’s Weston McKennie, Mexico’s Gerardo Arteaga, César Montes, Matthew Ashton, Montes, McKennie, USMNT Organizations: CNN, US, National, Concacaf, Nations League, Canada Locations: Mexico, Las Vegas, Jamaica, Chicago, Honduras, Houston
June 18 (Reuters) - The United States beat Canada 2-0 on Sunday in Las Vegas to secure their second consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title. First-half goals from Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun were enough to give the United States the victory in their first meeting with Canada in a tournament final. Richards opened the scoring when he headed home a Gio Reyna corner in the 12th minute. Reyna was again the provider in the 34th minute when his through ball was dispatched by Balogun into the bottom corner. Mexico beat Panama 1-0 earlier on Sunday in the third-place match.
Persons: Chris Richards, Folarin, Richards, Gio Reyna, Reyna, Atiba, Frank Pingue, Peter Rutherford Organizations: United, CONCACAF Nations League, Canada, Balogun, Panama, Thomson Locations: United States, Canada, Las Vegas, Panama, Mexico, Toronto
Berhalter to return as US coach, the Athletic reports
  + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
June 16 (Reuters) - Gregg Berhalter is poised to return as coach of the United States men's team, The Athletic reported on Friday, almost six months after U.S. Soccer let his contract expire amid a shakeup at the federation. The Athletic said the deal is "still being finalised" but that Berhalter's return was "imminent". Berhalter had made remarks criticising Reyna's commitment to the team at the World Cup, saying that he even considered sending him home. U.S. Soccer launched an investigation, which said in March that the incident would not prevent the body from rehiring Berhalter. Callaghan, who took over from Anthony Hudson when he stepped down as interim manager, has guided the United States to the final of the CONCACAF Nations League where they face Canada on Sunday.
Persons: Gregg Berhalter, Gio Reyna, Berhalter, Reyna's, Danielle, B.J, Callaghan, Anthony Hudson, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Peter Rutherford Organizations: United, United States men's, The Athletic, U.S, Soccer, Athletic, ESPN, Reuters, . Soccer, CONCACAF Nations League, Thomson Locations: United States, Qatar, Berhalter, U.S, Canada, Bengaluru
But this Concacaf Nations League semifinal – marred by dirty tackles, pushing and shoving and even a torn jersey – ended in ugly fashion. Twelve minutes of stoppage time was added, but the referee opted to end the game around four minutes early amid the discriminatory chants from the crowd. “Chants heard during the game led to the activation of the anti-discrimination protocol by the match officials. Sergiño Dest shoves and Gerardo Arteaga were both shown red cards for this altercation. Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersFifteen minutes later, Mexico defender Gerardo Arteaga and USMNT star Sergiño Dest were both shown straight red cards for pushing each other during another altercation between the two teams.
Persons: , Weston McKennie, Louis Grasse, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, César Montes, Weston McKennie –, Dest, Gerardo Arteaga, Lucas Peltier, Sergiño Dest Organizations: CNN, US Men’s National Team, Mexico, Allegiant, Concacaf Nations League, North, Caribbean Association Football, Concacaf, FIFA, Mexican Football Federation Locations: Las Vegas, Central America, Mexico, Canada
NEW YORK, June 1 (Reuters) - United States' Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic will spearhead their CONCACAF Nations League title defence when the Final Four kick off on June 15 in Las Vegas, with U.S. Soccer naming their training camp squad on Thursday. The U.S. beat Mexico in extra time two years ago to clinch the title and will have a rematch with their rivals in the semi-finals. Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who gave U.S. Soccer a boost last month when he opted to represent the United States instead of England, has earned his first call-up. The training camp starts on June 4, just days after Anthony Hudson stepped down as interim manager of the U.S. team, with assistant B.J. Reyna was named in the training squad on Thursday.
Persons: Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, Arsenal's Matt Turner, Anthony Hudson, B.J, Callaghan, Gregg Berhalter, Gio Reyna, Reyna, that’s, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: YORK, Chelsea, CONCACAF Nations League, U.S, Soccer, Arsenal, Leeds United, U.S ., Thomson Locations: United States, Las Vegas, U.S, Mexico, Panama, Canada, England, New York
Jamaica striker Shaw named CONCACAF women's Player of the Year
  + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
May 5 (Reuters) - Jamaica captain Khadija Shaw has become the first player from the Caribbean to be named CONCACAF women's Player of the Year, the governing body said on Friday, after she played a key role in helping her country qualify for the Women's World Cup. Shaw scored a joint-highest three goals at last year's CONCACAF W Championship to lead Jamaica to third place in the tournament, which served as a qualifier for this year's showpiece event in Australia and New Zealand. The 26-year-old has also been in fine form for Manchester City this season, leading the Women's Super League with 18 goals in 19 games. "It's an unbelievable feeling to be named as CONCACAF Women's Player of the Year, but I couldn't have done it without my team mates as they've played a massive part in this," said Shaw. Jamaica are in Group F with France, Brazil and Panama at the World Cup, which will be held from July 20-Aug. 20.
U.S. players ready to move on from Reyna dispute-Ream
  + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
U.S. Soccer was embroiled in turmoil after returning from the World Cup in Qatar when a bitter dispute broke out between former coach Gregg Berhalter, U.S. midfielder Reyna and his parents. That prompted an investigation by U.S. Soccer, which said last week that the incident would not prevent the body from rehiring Berhalter. Interim head coach Anthony Hudson named Reyna to the 24-man squad as the Americans seek to reach the CONCACAF Nations League Final Four. "What's happened with Gio in the past is in the past and what happened at the World Cup happened at the World Cup and we moved on from that as players," Ream told reporters on Tuesday. Hudson said in remarks provided by U.S. Soccer last week that Reyna was "a part of our program".
Player protests and high-level resignations are dominating headlines amid a growing sense of reckoning in women's soccer less than five months before the World Cup kicks off. Canada's women's team have vowed to boycott a pre-World Cup camp next month over equal pay and support, while Le Graet faced allegations of harassment. A government ministry audit concluded the 81-year-old Le Graet did not have the "necessary legitimacy" for the position. Neither Bontis nor Le Graet, however, are leaving the game. Bontis was named CONCACAF Council vice-president (North America) on Saturday, while Le Graet, who has denied all accusations, has reportedly been pegged to lead FIFA's Paris office.
Canada's women's team have vowed to boycott a pre-World Cup camp next month over equal pay and support, while Le Graet faced allegations of harassment. A government ministry audit concluded the 81-year-old Le Graet did not have the "necessary legitimacy" for the position. Canada are the reigning Olympic women's champions, while France topped their group in World Cup qualifying. Forward Janine Beckie, who was in Qatar for last year's men's World Cup as part of Canada's broadcast crew, saw the "disgusting" discrepancy between the two programmes. (This story has been corrected to change the World Cup start date in paragraph 6)Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Five storylines to watch in the 2023 MLS season
  + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +4 min
Feb 24 (Reuters) - Five storylines to follow during the 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) season which kicks off on Saturday:LAFC'S REPEAT BIDLos Angeles FC return this season looking to retain their crown after a wildly successful 2022 during which they won the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup, becoming the first team to win the double since Toronto FC in 2017. With experience and some added depth, Union are well-placed to take the next step to landing a maiden MLS Cup. The Leagues Cup will not have any draws. - -REVAMPED PLAYOFFSEighteen clubs, or 62% of MLS's teams, will qualify for the 2023 postseason compared to 14 teams last year. The conference semi-finals, finals and MLS Cup remain single-elimination matches hosted by the higher seed.
Jan 27 (Reuters) - The 2024 Copa America will be played in the United States, the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL confederations announced on Friday, as part of a new strategic partnership that will include a jointly organised club tournament. Next year's Copa America, organised by the South American confederation (CONMEBOL), will also feature six invited teams from the CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) region. It will be the second time that South America's most important national team tournament will be held in the U.S. after the special commemorative edition in 2016, which also featured six CONCACAF teams. "CONMEBOL and CONCACAF are united by historical and emotional ties. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani added: "This partnership is to support the continued growth of men's and women's football in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, and will truly be of mutual benefit to both Confederations."
(Reuters) - An Argentine businessman testified on Wednesday that two former 21st Century Fox executives and a sports marketing company conspired with him to bribe South American soccer officials and secure lucrative broadcasting rights. FILE PHOTO: Businessman Alejandro Burzaco (R) of Argentina arrives at the Federal Court in Brooklyn, New York, September 18, 2015. Burzaco said that he, Lopez and Martinez collectively paid up to $32 million in bribes together. Full Play Group paid or committed to pay up to $90 million, he said. Lopez, Martinez and Full Play Group have pleaded not guilty to crimes including wire fraud and money laundering.
MEXICO CITY, Jan 13 (Reuters) - FIFA sanctioned the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) for the offensive chants the country's fans made during their matches at last year's World Cup by ordering it to play a game behind closed doors and fined it 100,000 Swiss francs ($108,000). "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has fined FMF with a fine of CHF 100,000 and one match to be played behind closed doors in light of chants by Mexican supporters during the Mexico v. Poland and Saudi Arabia v. Mexico World Cup matches," FIFA said in a statement on Friday. "This sanction will apply on the next official match played by their senior men's national team in a FIFA competition." The FMF has been sanctioned on several occasions because of a shout Mexican fans make before the rival goalkeeper clears the ball. Mexico will play Jamaica behind closed doors on March 25 in the CONCACAF Nations League.
DOHA, Nov 26(Reuters) - Canada manager John Herdman said on Saturday his team was fired up for a test against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia after the Canadians fell to Belgium 1-0 despite outplaying them. Canada, taking part in their second World Cup, are still looking to score their first goal in the history of the men's tournament. Canada face Croatia, who drew Morocco 0-0 in their opener, on Sunday in what Herdman described as a "massive game""It's a hell of a test for this team. Emotional after Canada's solid performance against the second-ranked team in the world, Herdman drew the attention of Croatian media after he said his team would go and "eff Croatia". Herdman, who had previously acknowledged his impassioned comments had not been terribly respectful to Croatia, laughed off the Croatian tabloid story on Sunday.
Nov 17 (Reuters) - Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner can be extradited from his homeland of Trinidad to the United States to face corruption charges, a London court said on Thursday. Warner's lawyers argued that his extradition was unlawful but London's Privy Council, the highest court of appeal for many Commonwealth countries, unanimously dismissed his appeal. In 2020 a U.S. Department of Justice indictment said bribes were paid to soccer officials to secure their votes for hosting rights. The DOJ alleged that then FIFA vice-president Warner was paid $5 million through various shell companies to vote for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup. Reporting by Sam Tobin in London and Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
STATBOX Soccer-Canada at the World Cup
  + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
Nov 4 (Reuters) - Following is a statbox on Canada at the World Cup. FIFA Ranking: 41Odds: 150-1Previous tournaments: Canada have appeared in only one World Cup, in 1986, having failed to qualify for other editions of the tournament. They lost their group stage matches against France, Hungary and the Soviet Union and failed to score a goal. How they qualified After a 36-year drought, Canada reached the World Cup for the second time with an emphatic 4-0 win over Jamaica on a frigid March afternoon in Toronto. Players boycotted a friendly against Panama in June in Vancouver over a disagreement about World Cup prize money, among other issues.
"The least I have to be testing is Keylor Navas," Suarez said. Navas' experience was key to Costa Rica's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign as the veteran commanded his box and kept seven clean sheets in 13 appearances as they conceded only eight times -- the joint second-best record after Canada. He also made numerous saves in the inter-confederation playoff against New Zealand in a nervy 1-0 win to seal their spot for Qatar, with a heavily criticised Suarez vindicated for sticking with Costa Rica's old warhorse. But despite being the most successful player in Costa Rica's squad, Navas remains a down-to-earth person and a leader to look up to. "People think he's up there on top of Olympus but no, he's in the same place everyone else is.
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