SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Standing in the spacious Estadio Nacional, the modern home of the Costa Rican national team, it's easy to feel as though the Ticos surrendered some of their home-field advantage when they moved into this building and left behind the intimidating confines of Estadio Saprissa. There will still be a sold-out crowd at Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier to cheer on Costa Rica and try to put pressure on the visiting U.S. national team, but the Americans will be facing an even scarier proposition than rowdy fans when they take the field.
A loss to Costa Rica would leave the U.