Snow Clasico

Snow Clasico
The Dick's Sporting Goods Park hosted the match under similar conditions as in this picture
Event2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match
United States Costa Rica
1 0
Date22 March 2013
VenueDick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado, United States
RefereeJoel Aguilar (El Salvador)
Attendance19,734
WeatherSnowstorm
28 °F (−2 °C)[1]

The United States versus Costa Rica football (soccer) match was held on 22 March 2013 at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. It was part of the second matchday of the final qualification round in CONCACAF for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Both teams reached the match after not winning as visitors on the first matchday; the United States lost in San Pedro Sula against Honduras and Costa Rica reached a draw in Panama City against Panama.

Under heavy snowfall, the United States won the match with a lone goal by Clint Dempsey. The unusual conditions of the match sparked outrage in Costa Rica, whose football federation's formal complaint was rejected by FIFA.[2] Subsequent reactions from Costa Rican fans saw them turning their backs on FIFA's Fair Play anthem and flag during Costa Rica's following home match,[3] as well as receiving the American players with hostility for their game in San José months later.[4]

American media refers to the match as Snow Clasico,[5] a name subsequently evoked by MLS matches played under similar conditions.[1] In contrast, the match is considered by Costa Rican media as a watershed moment, as the following months saw their national team qualify to the 2014 World Cup with five consecutive victories at home—including a 3–1 victory against the United States seen as a revenge—and achieve their best performance at a FIFA World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals.[6]

Background

Both teams reached the match without victories in the Hexagonal, as the first matchday saw the United States lose 2–1 in Honduran soil and Costa Rica draw 2–2 as visitors against Panama.[7]

This was the first FIFA World Cup qualification match between both teams since their 2–2 draw at Washington's Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, in the last matchday of the Hexagonal for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In that game, a last minute equalizer by Jonathan Bornstein prevented Costa Rica from qualifying directly to the World Cup; instead, Honduras qualified, while Costa Rica was sent to an intercontinental play-off, which they lost against Uruguay.[7] The United States Soccer Federation noted that "no goal resonated more in Costa Rica" than Bornstein's, who became "a national hero in Honduras."[8] La Nación's Álvaro Murillo recounted the moments that led to the goal in a note titled "That damned corner [kick]".[9]

Hours before the match in Colorado, another FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Europe between Northern Ireland and Russia, scheduled to be held at Windsor Park in Belfast, was suspended because of a heavy snowfall.[10] The match was postponed to the next day, but because the conditions did not improve, it was postponed once more to be played in August.[11]

About three hours before the match, La Nación's Juan José Herrera reported an increasing snowfall, and that despite forecasts of worsening conditions, the stadium authorities expressed that calling the match off was "very unlikely."[12]

The match

First half

Clint Dempsey scored the winning goal

Sixteen minutes into the match, Clint Dempsey scored the winning goal, as he took advantage of a shot by Jozy Altidore that was deflected to Dempsey's position by Costa Rican defender Roy Miller.[13] La Nación's Diego Ureña reported, at the end of the first half, that the field was threatening to the players' integrity, and that by the end of the 21st minute, after a missed chance by Costa Rican player Christian Bolaños, the game showed little actual football, highlighting the foul play and slips,[14] which coincides with Jorge Luis Pinto's description that "football-wise, the match can only be evaluated from its earlier twenty or twenty-five minutes."[15]

For Michael Bradley, the field during the first half "was still O.K. even though it was a little hard to see."[13] La Nación's Ureña, once the match was finished, expressed that "the match actually lasted fifteen minutes and became a snowfight afterwards."[16]

Second half

Conditions worsened heavily during the second half. Bradley described that "as the snow accumulated in the second half, it was almost impossible to play."[13] Around the fifty-fourth minute, referee Joel Aguilar halted the match momentarily, and gathered captains Clint Dempsey and Bryan Ruiz to discuss a possible suspension of the match with FIFA commissioner Victor Daniel.[17][18] The United States' coach Jurgen Klinsmann ran to the pitch as he angrily expressed, in a "bad Spanish", his desire for the match to continue.[13]

Eventually, the match resumed, as some of the personnel of the stadium used plows and shovels to remove the snow off the field demarcations.[19] While recounting the minute-by-minute action of the match, Costa Rican newspaper Al Día indicated that the game "is being played under unsportsmanlike conditions," that "the ball is rolling very slowly," and "the snowfall is getting stronger."[17] Costa Rica had a goal disallowed on the 70th minute as Michael Umaña was caught offside,[17] while the United States were denied a penalty after Clint Dempsey was tripped on the box.[13]

Details

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF fourth round – Second matchday
United States 1–0 Costa Rica
Dempsey 16' Report
Attendance: 19,734
United States
Costa Rica

Assistant referees:
Juan Zumba (El Salvador)
William Torres (El Salvador)
Fourth official:
Marlon Mejía (El Salvador)

Reactions

Professional

For Jorge Luis Pinto, the Snow Clasico was "an embarrassment" to the sport

Members of the Costa Rican team were enraged by the conditions of the match and the decision to let it continue. Coach Jorge Luis Pinto called the match "an embarrassment to soccer"[13] and "an insult."[20] He also stated that referee Joel Aguilar "should be suspended, because he allowed this woesome spectacle to happen, and both Costa Rica and the people who attended the match to be insulted." Midfielder Michael Barrantes said "You could not see the lines, you could not see the ball, this could not be played."[20] Forward Álvaro Saborío stated that "we know that, under normal conditions, they would not have beaten us," while goalkeeper Keylor Navas expressed his sadness for the decision, reprimanding the referee for "doing nothing" to stop the match.[21] Eduardo Li, president of the Costa Rican Football Federation, reported that "when the match was suspended, we [the federative members] were taken to a meeting with FIFA officials, and the match was resumed at that precise moment."[21]

Costa Rican players took to social media, particularly Twitter, to express their discomfort with the match. Joel Campbell tweeted "regarding last night... Well, it is clear that we could not play this way;"[22] he also tweeted another picture of the match while comparing it to the X Games.[23] Celso Borges described the match conditions as "vulgar" and "unbelievable."[24] In a milder tone, captain Bryan Ruiz tweeted "I never thought that something like this could happen during a World Cup qualification match,"[25] Bryan Oviedo expressed that "it hurts to lose three points this way, because I was sure we could have won with the team we have" and "I hope FIFA could do something against this kind of injustices."[26]

In contrast, and given their win, the Americans took the match in a lighter tone. Defender Geoff Cameron expressed the conditions were "the same for both teams" and, regarding the Costa Ricans' outrage, he said "both teams are playing in it, so I'm not sure what their issue would be."[19] Brad Guzan, DaMarcus Beasley, Jozy Altidore, and Herculez Gomez celebrated the victory and thanked the fans for their support, whereas Omar Gonzalez called the match "the craziest game I've ever played in my life!"[27]

Jurgen Klinsmann, who defended the continuity of the match, expressed that "the match was equal for both teams and what the referee wanted by stopping the match was asking [the stadium personnel] to make the field lines visible, and those were cleared."[20] He also said that "both teams would have liked to play on a big, green surface, but we had some fun anyway."[13] Months later, he expressed that "We know that some people are angry because of the snow match, but it was not our fault. I did not ask God to send us snow."[28] and that the United States would have won by more goals without snow.[29]

Media

The match also caused an outrage in Costa Rican media. In his arbitration analysis for Teletica Canal 7, former referee Ramón Luis Méndez was heavily critical of Joel Aguilar's handling of the match, particularly in his decision to resume it, as well as allowing personnel of the stadium to invade the pitch during the course of the game.[30] Méndez asserted that, while neither the American goal nor the disallowed Costa Rican goal could come into questioning, the match "violated every rule in football" as the snow impaired the visibility of the field.[30] CRHoy's Laura Salas questioned the legitimacy of FIFA's Fair Play campaign, and replicated Méndez declarations that "if there had been rules, this match would have been suspended."[31] She also questioned why the match was resumed given the postponement of the match between Northern Ireland and Russia earlier that day due to similar conditions.[31]

Cristian Williams, for La República, praised the effort displayed by the players to find the equalizer, but pointed its futility as "it was impossible to generate any good football on that pitch, worthy of snowskating rather than football," and also criticized Jorge Luis Pinto because his idea for the game was "not losing, rather than winning."[32]

Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla expressed her discomfort with the match by tweeting "What a horror! They are demeaning this sport!"[33] and "I feel pride for [the team's] effort, but shame for the match conditions."[34]

After the match, former Costa Rican player Mauricio Montero was scathing against the Costa Rican Football Federation and their inability to do anything to stop the match, as he stated that "even a syndicate of snow cone vendors would be stronger than the FEDEFUTBOL."[35]

Aftermath

Following days

People removing the snow from Keylor Navas' goalkeeping area. This was one of the focal points of Costa Rica's protest letter

The Costa Rican Football Federation submitted a protest letter to FIFA, citing four points:[36]

  1. The physical integrity of the players was neglected.
  2. The stadium personnel invaded the pitch during the course of the match.
  3. The snow covered and concealed the pitch demarcations.
  4. The ball could not roll properly because of the thick layer of snow.

FIFA confirmed the receipt of the letter, and informed that they would analyze the claims.[37] FIFA released a statement in which they dismissed the Costa Rican complain given that "the conditions established in the regulations for an official appeal have not been met by the Costa Rica FA."[38]

The match prompted Costa Rican fans to immediately sell out tickets for their encounter against Jamaica on 26 March, four days later.[39] Moments before the match, Costa Rican fans in attendance turned their backs during the display of FIFA's Fair Play flag.[40] Jamaican newspaper The Jamaica Star pointed that the fans were also booing and chanting "hijo de puta" (son of a bitch) during the Fair Play anthem, and also noted the usage of English signs as a way of insulting both FIFA and its president Sepp Blatter despite Costa Rica being a Spanish-speaking country.[41] Costa Rica defeated Jamaica 2–0 with goals by Michael Umaña and Diego Calvo, a victory that Teletica referred to as "a thawing."[42]

The United States' following match saw the team earning a point after a scoreless draw against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.[43]

Following months

One month after the snow match, Panamanian coach Julio Dely Valdés visited Seattle and its CenturyLink Field, venue of the World Cup qualification match between the United States and Panama played on 11 June, with the objective of ensuring that the logistics were adequate for his team; his motivation arising "because of everything that happened with Costa Rica in the case of the snow."[44]

Costa Rica and the United States would face each other once again as part of a 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage match, which saw the Americans earn a new victory thanks to a goal by Brek Shea.[45] La Nación's Randall Corella commented that "there was no revenge, but rather another blow to the heart" and that the loss "only pumps that feeling of wanting to defeat the Americans on September 6th."[46] For the Americans, this match was part of a winning streak that began with a 4–3 triumph against Germany.[47]

Match in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican Football Federation considered moving the match to the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá (top) because of its negative reputation among American players. They discarded the idea and kept the Estadio Nacional (bottom) as the venue

With a 12-match winning streak, that had them close to the world record set by Spain between 2008 and 2009, the United States' following match was a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in San José,[47] a place where the Americans have never achieved a single victory.[48] During the following months after the Snow Clásico, the Costa Rican Football Federation contemplated moving the match to the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá,[49] given the stadium's bad reputation among American players for its hostile environment.[50][51][52][53][54] In June, the federation discarded the option and kept the Estadio Nacional as the venue for the match.[55]

CRHoy's Pablo Rojas noted the "desire of revenge" from fans on social media, with hashtags as #RevanchaCR.[56]

Concerned over security issues, the American team reportedly asked for special measures upon arrival to Costa Rican soil.[57] However, Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla stated that the Americans would receive the same treatment they gave to the Costa Rican team, also asserting that "in the diplomatic language, this is called reciprocity," while members of her office reaffirmed that the United States team would not receive any special treatment.[58] Upon arrival, the team was met with hostility by Costa Rican fans, who insulted the players and threw eggs to their bus, to which some players responded with obscene hand gestures.[57] The Americans also complained of difficulties in finding a training ground.[59] MLSSoccer informed that, the day before the match, Jurgen Klinsmann was interrupted during a post-training interview by a man in a cow suit (specifically as Lula, the mascot of Costa Rican dairy products company Dos Pinos) who was blowing a horn nearby.[60]

Instants before the match, the fans who filled the Estadio Nacional to capacity booed the American anthem, for which FIFA imposed a fine of over $13,000 to the Costa Rican Football Federation.[61] In contrast, the fans sang their national anthem with passion, and maintained a strong presence throughout the match, as Christian Bolaños expressed that "this is the match in which I have felt the fans the most involved."[62]

The match saw an emotional stadium celebrate as Jhonny Acosta scored the first goal within two minutes, and Celso Borges netted the second goal seven minutes later, as Costa Rica was winning 2–0 before the 10th minute.[63] Impressed by the start, David Faitelson tweeted "Costa Rica keep sending clear and overwhelming messages that they want to be at Brazil 2014."[64] On the 40th minute, Keylor Navas would concede a penalty to the United States after fouling Clint Dempsey, who then scored the penalty to reduce the Costa Rican advantage to 2–1 by the end of the first half.[63] During the second half, the Americans looked relentlessly for the equalizer, with Dempsey hitting the post at the 56th minute. However, their attempts did not come to fruition as Joel Campbell took advantage of a clearance by José Miguel Cubero to score the definitive 3–1 after outrunning Matt Besler.[63]

Moments after scoring, another incident between Campbell and Besler occurred, as Campbell fell behind Besler. Referee Marco Antonio Rodríguez did not see the action, and after relying on one of his assistants, he booked a yellow card to Besler, rendering him unable to play the next qualifying match against Mexico due to accumulation of yellow cards.[65] The United States Soccer Federation sent a video to FIFA, who reprimanded Campbell for his dive.[66]

The match ended the United States' 12-game winning streak, while Costa Rica became leaders of the Hexagonal.[67] This leadership, however, would only last four days as Costa Rica would get a 1–1 draw in Jamaica, while the United States would regain the first place after a "Dos a Cero" (2–0) victory over Mexico in Columbus.[68] Some minutes after their respective matches ended, both Americans and Costa Ricans would qualify to the 2014 FIFA World Cup as Honduras and Panama drew in Tegucigalpa.[69]

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF fourth round – Seventh matchday
Costa Rica 3–1 United States
Acosta 2'
Borges 10'
Campbell 76'		 Report Dempsey 43' (pen.)
Attendance: 35,000

Long term

In 2017, Costa Rica defeated the United States in New Jersey, a significant blow to American hopes of qualifying to the 2018 FIFA World Cup

American media refer to the game as Snow Clasico,[70][71] evoking the "El Clásico" name used for matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as numerous rivalries throughout the globe. The Colorado Rapids, who use the Dick's Sporting Goods Park as their home stadium, cited the match as "likely the most iconic soccer match ever played in Colorado."[72] CRHoy's Adrián Mendoza has pointed that the United States Soccer Federation often uses pictures from the Snow Clasico to promote future matches against Costa Rica.[73][74]

In Costa Rica, the Snow Clasico is retrospectively seen as a watershed moment for their national team. After qualifying to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Jorge Luis Pinto admitted his players showed a change in their attitudes after the match, which he described as "the worst rudeness I have ever seen in football."[75] At the 2014 World Cup, Costa Rica surprisingly reached the quarter-finals after topping their group against three former world champions, winning a penalty shoot-out against Greece, and losing against the Netherlands through the same means, thus leaving the tournament undefeated. Costa Rican media traces the origin of this successful campaign to the Snow Clasico.[76][6] Guatemalan magazine ContraPoder echoed this view, stating that Costa Rica's performance at the World Cup was a butterfly effect "unleashed when a snowflake fell on the pitch of the Dick's Sporting Goods Park."[77]

The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification saw the United States failing to qualify to the World Cup, becoming the first time the USA missed the tournament since 1986.[78] Costa Rica played a key role in that elimination, as a heavy 4–0 win over the United States resulted in Jürgen Klinsmann being sacked and replaced by Bruce Arena.[79][80] With Arena as coach, the Americans achieved a 14-match unbeaten run (which included winning the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup),[81] but, in a similar fashion to their 2013 streak under Klinsmann, they were once again stopped by the Costa Ricans in September after an unexpected 0–2 defeat in New Jersey,[82] the first time Costa Rica defeated the United States at a World Cup qualifying match in American soil since 1985.[83] This home loss, described as "shocking" and "a devastating blow",[82][84] is pinpointed by American media as a major factor to their elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[85][86][87] Former USAMNT player Brian McBride stated that such a crucial loss was in part by a mistaken decision from the United States Soccer Federation in scheduling the game in New Jersey, given a large presence of Costa Ricans in the area, which resulted in a significant portion of the crowd being Costa Rican fans.[84]

The Snow Clasico remained the last American victory over Costa Rica at a FIFA World Cup qualification match for more than eight years,[88] until a 2–1 victory at Columbus' Lower.com Field on 13 October 2021.[89] In contrast, a March 2022 match in San José saw a youngster-filled Costa Rica score a 2–0 win to increase their winning streak against the Americans at home soil.[90][91]

Reception of referee Joel Aguilar in Costa Rica

Joel Aguilar awarding a VAR-reviewed penalty to Sweden during their 2018 FIFA World Cup match against South Korea. A La Nación journalist was critical of Aguilar's officiating during this match because of this action

After officiating in the Snow Clasico, Salvadoran referee Joel Aguilar is seen in a widely negative light in Costa Rica. Local media refer to him as "el árbitro de la nieve" (the snow referee),[92][93][94] and often scrutinize his designations and nominations.[93][94] AMPrensa's Esteban Fallas called both Aguilar and Walter López Castellanos "disastrous."[95]

Following the controversial refereeing at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Costa Rican Football Federation issued a formal request to CONCACAF, demanding that a number of referees, including Aguilar, do not officiate future Costa Rica matches; in the case of Aguilar, the letter cites his involvement in the Snow Clasico.[96] CONCACAF denied this request, and Aguilar, cited by CONCACAF's deputy general secretary Ted Howard as "the best CONCACAF referee in 2015," has since officiated further Costa Rica matches.[97] When asked in a 2019 interview for El Diario de Hoy, Aguilar himself said that having teams request that certain referees do not officiate their matches "is something that should not happen."[98] In 2017, Honduran newspaper Diario Diez pointed the negative reaction by Costa Rican media whenever Aguilar was designated to officiate one of their matches.[99][100]

Since the Snow Clasico, Aguilar has been subject to scrutiny by Costa Rican sports media, even for matches not involving any Costa Rican team. In 2016, he officiated a Copa América Centenario semi-final match between Colombia and Chile, which had to be suspended momentarily because of a thunderstorm. CRHoy echoed two tweets by Mexican journalist Rafael Ramos, who questioned why Aguilar stopped the Copa América match but resumed the Snow Clasico, and also signaled complaints by Colombian coach José Pekerman about Aguilar's refereeing.[101] At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Sweden defeated South Korea with a VAR-conceded penalty scored by Andreas Granqvist. The match was officiated by Aguilar Chicas, who failed to spot the foul and was corrected by the video-assisted referees.[102] In reaction to this, La Nación's Daniel Jiménez questioned if Aguilar was indeed the best referee in the CONCACAF region while commenting "once again, Joel Aguilar Chicas is the villain, but to no surprise," and called his officiating "the worst of the tournament so far."[103]

In retrospective, Aguilar has stated that the snow match was "historic" for him, as "it was a game in which I learned so much, and went from hell to glory," as he initially was afraid that the match would cost him his spot at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but rather than being reprimanded for not suspending the match, FIFA's Head of Refereeing Development Massimo Busacca congratulated him for his handling of the Snow Clasico.[104][98] In response, Costa Rican footballer Cristian Gamboa, who played in that match, said that Aguilar was "perhaps congratulated for helping the Americans."[105]

In 2019, fellow Salvadoran referee Iván Barton hinted at Aguilar's retirement through a Facebook post that he later deleted. CRHoy's Hermes Solano echoed this with a note titled "Will Costa Rica finally 'get rid' of Joel Aguilar Chicas?"[106] His retirement was confirmed in January 2020.[107]

References

  1. ^ a b McGeorge, Alex (3 March 2019). "Snow Clasico History | Looking back at past snow games at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park". ColoradoRapids.com. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Statement on USA-Costa Rica". FIFA.com. 26 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Costa Rica fans protest FIFA replay verdict". ESPN.com. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. ^ Keh, Andrew (5 September 2013). "No Warm Welcome for U.S. Team in Costa Rica (Published 2013)". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. ^ Wine, II, Donald (18 October 2018). "Throwback Thursday: Let it Snow Clasico". Stars and Stripes FC. SB Nation. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  6. ^ a b Gómez Muñoz, Keish (22 March 2020). "A siete años del partido que cambió el orgullo de los costarricenses". ESPN.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  7. ^ a b Boehm, Charles (22 March 2013). "World Cup Qualifier preview: USA vs. Costa Rica". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Next Up: Five Things to Know About Costa Rica". USSF.com. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  9. ^ Murillo, Álvaro (5 September 2013). "Aquel maldito córner". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  10. ^ "NI v Russia qualifier is postponed". BBC Sport. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  11. ^ "NI v Russia match postponed again". BBC Sport. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  12. ^ Herrera, Juan José (22 March 2013). "Nieve empieza a caer en Denver previo al partido de la Sele". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Borden, Sam (23 March 2013). "Wintry Weather and U.S. Team Throw Blanket Over Costa Rica". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  14. ^ Ureña, Diego (22 March 2013). "Estados Unidos vence 1-0 a Costa Rica tras 45 minutos en terreno perjudicial". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  15. ^ Vargas, Dinia (23 March 2013). "La nieve fue la excusa". La República (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  16. ^ Ureña, Diego (22 March 2013). "Costa Rica cayó en la nieve de Estados Unidos". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  17. ^ a b c "Minuto a minuto del partido entre Estados Unidos y Costa Rica | JOR 2 | Hexagonal Final Concacaf Brasil 2014 | Al Día". Al Día (in Spanish). 22 March 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Pinto califica de 'insulto' permitir jugar el partido en la nieve". Diario Deportivo Diez (in Spanish). 20 December 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  19. ^ a b "United States men's soccer beats Costa Rica 1-0 in snow storm". USA Today. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  20. ^ a b c "Pinto: "Es un insulto jugar en un campo en estas condiciones"". Marca (in Spanish). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  21. ^ a b Araya, José Fernando (22 March 2013). "Jugadores de la Tricolor molestos al no suspender el juego ante EE.UU". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  22. ^ Campbell, Joel. "Joel Campbell on Twitter: "Lo de ayer...bueno es claro que así no se podía jugar. Cabeza arriba y a ganar ante Jamaica !!"". Twitter. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  23. ^ Campbell, Joel. "Joel Campbell on Twitter: "Aquí les dejo otra de los X-Games de ayer.. Increíble"". Twitter. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  24. ^ Borges, Celso. "Celso Borges on Twitter: "Vulgar....increíble sobre esas condiciones! Igual respeto para los compas que pelearon hasta lo último! Martes, próxima pelea!"". Twitter. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  25. ^ Ruiz, Bryan. "Bryan Ruiz on Twitter: "Nunca pensé q pudiera pasar algo así en un partido eliminatorio p un mundial... Rescatar la actitud y desde ya pensar en Jamaica"". Twitter. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  26. ^ Oviedo, Bryan. "Bryan Oviedo on Twitter: "Duele perder así .."". Twitter. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  27. ^ Bell, Jack (23 March 2013). "U.S. Tweets Come In From the Snow". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Klinsmann: 'Yo no llamé a Dios para que nos enviara nieve'". La Prensa (in Spanish). 4 September 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  29. ^ Retana, Pedro (30 August 2013). "Diario Extra - 'Habrá mucha tensión en San José'". www.diarioextra.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  30. ^ a b Méndez, Ramón Luis (24 March 2013). "Análisis arbitral del partido entre Estados Unidos y Costa Rica (1-0) | Teletica". Teletica (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  31. ^ a b Salas, Laura (23 March 2013). "¿Y dónde quedó el Fair Play? | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  32. ^ Williams, Cristian (23 March 2013). "Caímos en la nieve". La República (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  33. ^ Chinchilla, Laura. "Laura Chinchilla on Twitter: "Que horror!! Están degradando el deporte!!"". Twitter. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  34. ^ Chinchilla, Laura. "Laura Chinchilla on Twitter: "Saludos #laSeleCR sentí orgullo por su juego, pero vergüenza por las condiciones del juego."". Twitter. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  35. ^ Fuentes, Ferlin (18 August 2015). "A Mauricio Montero lo pudo sacar de la Sele su frase 'el sindicato de coperos'". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  36. ^ "Costa Rica envía protesta formal a la FIFA". Diario Deportivo Diez (in Spanish). 20 December 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  37. ^ "FIFA analiza protesta de Costa Rica por partido en la nieve". Medio Tiempo (in Mexican Spanish). 25 March 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Statement on USA-Costa Rica". FIFA.com. 26 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-03-29. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  39. ^ Leandro, Harold (25 March 2013). "Se agotaron las entradas para el juego del martes ante Jamaica". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  40. ^ Mendoza, Adrián (27 March 2013). "Enojo tico contra la FIFA y "Fair Play", le da la vuelta al mundo | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Costa Ricans turn backs on FIFA anthem - Sport - Jamaica Star - March 28, 2013". The Jamaica Star. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  42. ^ "Costa Rica se "descongela" con un triunfo 2-0 ante Jamaica | Teletica". Teletica (in Spanish). 26 March 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  43. ^ "U.S. escapes Azteca with 0-0 draw against Mexico". USA Today. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  44. ^ "DT Julio Dely: "Valió la pena ir a Seattle para ver toda la logística"". Telemetro (in Spanish). 26 April 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  45. ^ "Gol de Shea da la victoria a Estados Unidos sobre Costa Rica". CONCACAF.com. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  46. ^ Corella, Randall (17 July 2013). "Costa Rica cayó ante Estados Unidos y no pudo tomar revancha del juego en la nieve en Denver". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  47. ^ a b "USMNT just four wins away from setting new world record for longest winning streak by a national team". MLSSoccer.com. 15 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  48. ^ Parker, Graham (15 November 2016). "USA can't afford Jürgen Klinsmann's harmful tinkering against Costa Rica". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  49. ^ Bell, Arch (8 April 2013). "Costa Rica quiere devolver la encerrona a Estados Unidos". MARCA (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  50. ^ Lalas, Alexi (6 June 2016). "Alexi Lalas on Twitter: "Old Saprissa was the most difficult stadium to play in."". Twitter. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  51. ^ Lalas, Alexi (7 December 2010). "Alexi Lalas on Twitter: "Azteca or old Saprissa. RT @simpsonnicholas: @alexilalas22 most intimidating stadium to play in?"". Twitter. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  52. ^ Lalas, Alexi (17 April 2013). "Alexi Lalas on Twitter: "Yes. Worse than Azteca. RT @Frances_finest Is playing in the Estadio Saprissa as daunting as the media makes it out to be? #AskAlexi"". Twitter. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  53. ^ Quijano, Fernando (22 June 2018). "Estadio Saprissa, uno de los favoritos de Landon Donovan". AS USA (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  54. ^ "Entrevista Completa Bryan Ruiz #HomeFans" (in Spanish). 26 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  55. ^ "Costa Rica descarta usar el Saprissa para recibir a Estados Unidos". Récord (in Spanish). 20 June 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  56. ^ Rojas, Pablo (2 September 2013). "Deseos de revancha para la "Sele" calientan ambiente en redes sociales | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  57. ^ a b "Selección de Estados Unidos fue atacada con…huevos, tras llegar a Costa Rica". Gol Caracol (in Spanish). 3 September 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  58. ^ Cascante, Sharon (29 August 2013). "Costa Rica dará trato recíproco a selección de EE.UU". La República (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  59. ^ "EEUU recibe hostil recibimiento en Costa Rica". 20 minutos (in Spanish). 3 September 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  60. ^ Edwards, Andy (5 September 2013). "VIDEO: Jurgen Klinsmann's post-training interview interrupted by...a cow with an air horn??? | SIDELINE | MLSSoccer.com". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  61. ^ "FIFA multa a Costa Rica por silbar himno de EU". El Universal (in Spanish). 1 October 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  62. ^ Mendoza, Adrián (7 September 2013). "Afición fue clave en el triunfo ante los Estados Unidos | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  63. ^ a b c Umaña, Johan (6 September 2013). "Costa Rica vence 3-1 a Estados Unidos, el sueño de Brasil 2014 queda muy cerca". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  64. ^ Faitelson, David. "David Faitelson on Twitter: "Costa Rica sigue enviando mensajes claros y contundentes de que quiere estar en Brasil 2014... #fb"". Twitter. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  65. ^ Goff, Steven (9 September 2013). "Here's why Matt Besler is suspended …". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  66. ^ "FIFA scolds Campbell for dive vs. U.S., Besler". ESPN.com. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  67. ^ Parker, Graham (7 September 2013). "Costa Rica 3-1 USA - as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  68. ^ Sacks, Alejandro Zúñiga (10 September 2013). "U.S. beats Mexico 2-0, clinches World Cup berth". USA TODAY. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  69. ^ "United States, Costa Rica qualify for 2014 World Cup finals". Reuters. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  70. ^ Mahoney, Ridge (8 June 2017). "Memories of "Snow Clasico" recur often for Balboa". Soccer America. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  71. ^ "SNOWCLASICO REPLAY: U.S. Soccer to re-air USMNT's 1-0 shutout against Costa Rica". www.ussoccer.com. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  72. ^ McGeorge, Alex (3 March 2019). "Snow Clasico History | Looking back at past snow games at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park | Colorado Rapids". www.coloradorapids.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  73. ^ Mendoza, Adrián (7 June 2016). "Con nieve EEUU busca calentar juego ante la Sele | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  74. ^ Mendoza, Adrián (15 November 2016). "¡Estados Unidos se esmera en recordar la nevada en Denver! | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  75. ^ Mendoza, Adrián (14 September 2013). "Jorge Luis Pinto: La Sele tiene un antes y un después del partido nevado en Denver | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  76. ^ "De la nieve a la gloria: video recuerda el duro camino hacia Brasil | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). 3 July 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  77. ^ "Costa Rica y el Efecto Mariposa | Revista Contrapoder". ContraPoder. 5 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014.
  78. ^ Rogers, Martin (10 October 2017). "U.S. men's national soccer team fails to qualify for 2018 World Cup". USA TODAY. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  79. ^ "Tras goleada 4-0 de Costa Rica ¡Cayó Jurgen Klinsmann! | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). 21 November 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  80. ^ Vecsey, George (22 November 2016). "Bruce Arena, Replacing Jurgen Klinsmann as U.S. Coach, Keeps Things Simple". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  81. ^ "GOLD CUP: USA's 2017 run to the title". Philadelphia Union. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  82. ^ a b Blockus, Gary (13 October 2017). "Bruce Arena Resigns Following US Mens Soccer World Cup Qualifying Failure". TeamUSA.org. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  83. ^ Bell, Arch (2 September 2017). "Keylor Navas y Costa Rica complican la vida a Estados Unidos". MARCA Claro México (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  84. ^ a b "Brian McBride explains how US Soccer identifies 2022 World Cup qualifying venues | MLSSoccer.com". Major League Soccer. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  85. ^ Wahl, Grant (11 October 2017). "USA's WCQ failure the culmination of an imperfect storm". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  86. ^ "US miss out on World Cup while Messi spares Argentina blushes". France 24. Associated Press. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  87. ^ Blum, Ronald (10 October 2017). "U.S. Shockingly Booted From World Cup". Valley News. Associated Press. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  88. ^ Henry, Larry (11 October 2021). "Joel Campbell, Jose Ortiz ruled out for Costa Rica's trip to face USMNT - SBI Soccer". sbisoccer.com. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  89. ^ Borg, Simon (13 October 2021). "USA vs. Costa Rica result: USMNT earns big World Cup qualifying win after early scare". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  90. ^ Bonagura, Kyle (31 March 2022). "USMNT underwhelms vs. Costa Rica, but all eyes on World Cup now". ESPN.com. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  91. ^ Marín, Douglas (31 March 2022). "2-0. Una joven Costa Rica domina a EE.UU. y ratifica su pase a la repesca". Swissinfo (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  92. ^ Quirós, Luis (21 July 2017). "El árbitro de la 'nieve' volverá a pitarle a la Sele ante Estados Unidos". La Teja (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  93. ^ a b Calderón, Miguel (24 July 2015). "Joel Aguilar, el árbitro de la nieve en Denver, pitará la final de la Copa Oro 2015". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  94. ^ a b Vargas, Dinia (18 November 2016). "Árbitro de la nieve en Denver nominado a mejor del año". ameliarueda.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  95. ^ Fallas, Esteban (6 July 2017). "Los nefastos Walter López y Joel Aguilar Chicas estarán en el debut de Copa de Oro". AMPrensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  96. ^ Vargas Brenes, Rafael (21 July 2015). "FEDEFUTBOL exige cambios en CONCACAF - Federación Costarricense de Fútbol". Fedefutbol.com (in Spanish). Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  97. ^ "CONCACAF ratificó a Chicas - Federación Costarricense de Fútbol" (in Spanish). 23 October 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  98. ^ a b López Vides, Carlos (14 November 2019). "Joel Aguilar Chicas: "No debería pasar" que equipos pidan que ciertos árbitros no les piten". Noticias de El Salvador - elsalvador.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  99. ^ "Los ticos no quieren al 'árbitro de la nieve', Joel Aguilar Chicas". Diario Deportivo Diez (in Spanish). 24 February 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  100. ^ Solano, Jeison (21 July 2017). "Indignación en Costa Rica por designación de Joel Aguilar como árbitro ante Estados Unidos". Diez - Diario Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  101. ^ Fonseca, Graciela (23 June 2016). "Aguilar Chicas: con tormenta eléctrica si, con nieve no | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  102. ^ "Sweden beats South Korea thanks to VAR". KDRV. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  103. ^ Jiménez, Daniel (18 June 2018). "Nación Mundialista: ¿Fue decoroso el debut de Panamá en Rusia 2018?". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  104. ^ Jiménez, Daniel (24 April 2015). "Joel Aguilar: 'FIFA me felicitó por el juego de la nieve'". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  105. ^ Brenes, Cristian; Valverde, Esteban (24 April 2015). "Cristian Gamboa: 'Tal vez, lo felicitaron por ayudar a Estados Unidos -al árbitro Joel Aguilar-'". La Nación, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  106. ^ Solano, Hermes (8 September 2019). "¿Se "librará" finalmente Costa Rica de Joel Aguilar Chicas? | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  107. ^ Peñate, Christian (13 January 2020). "Joel Aguilar Chicas se retira del arbitraje". El Gráfico (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2022.