US rallies for 2-2 draw with Costa Rica

Their hearts and minds were clearly in a different place at the start of the final World Cup qualifying match before South Africa 2010.  Just a day earlier starting forward Charlie Davies was severely injured in a car crash and US players were clearly distracted a bit.

Conor Casey and Jozy Altidore both blew clear chances early on and Tim Howard was called on to deny a close in volley on the other end.  Soon after Costa Rica would break through as Bryan Ruiz rounded Gooch Onyewu who let him go expecting help.  None came and Ruiz slotted through Howard's legs for the Costa Rica lead.

Just minutes later Bryan Ruiz would strike again.  His second goal would come in grand fashion though as Costa Rica worked a nice combination off a throw in leaving Ruiz with the ball striding in from the right.  He let loose with a wicked strike that hit the upper left corner of the net for a world class goal.

The Americans didn't close up shop though after going down 2-0.  If the US has one thing it's heart and the team set about fighting back once again.  Chances came in droves in the opening half, but poor finishing plagued the team as shot after shot went begging.  Conor Casey was not nearly up to his form from Honduras and Landon Donovan was a step off on his set pieces as well.

The second saw the Americans continue on the attack and in the 71st minute all the pressure would pay off as Michael Bradley got on the end of a rebound from a Landon Donovan shot.  Bradley was able to redirect the loose ball over Navas and into the goal.

Perhaps the biggest play of the game came minutes later though when Gooch Onyewu went down awkwardly.  He was stretchered off and word is he is out 3-4 months with a torn tendon in his knee.  The US had already used their allotted subs and were forced to finish with 10 men. 

The final 10 minutes would be wild as Costa Rica set about with time wasting and the Americans threw everything at them.  Both Costa Rican coaches were sent off leaving just the strength and conditioning coach on the bench.  In the 95th minute the US would earn a corner where Robbie Rogers floated a ball into the box.  Jonathan Bornstein raced in and headed home for the equalizer.

It was a horrible ending for Costa Rica who were only seconds away from earning a berth to South Africa 2010.  Instead, they must now face Urugauy in a 2 leg playoff to advance.