Costa Rican soccer players Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace are pursuing World Cup glory with their national team
Costa Rica's Rodney Wallace and Ronald Matarrita Prepare for World Cup Debut
Defender Ronald Matarrita and forward Rodney Wallace, both 23 and 30 years old respectively, will represent Costa Rica in the 2018 World Cup. These two players, who have formed a close friendship both on and off the field, are eager to make their World Cup debuts together.
Matarrita and Wallace first met during a friendly against Russia, and their bond grew stronger as they later played together at the same club. Wallace stated that Matarrita is one of his closest friends, and it is amazing to be on this World Cup journey together. He also mentioned that he trusts Matarrita, and that Matarrita is literally behind him on the field.
Neither Matarrita nor Wallace is expected to start for Costa Rica, but both will be competing for minutes during the tournament. Costa Rica advanced from a tough group that included previous World Cup winners Uruguay, Italy, and England in the 2014 World Cup, but lost in the quarterfinals to the Netherlands in penalties.
Group E at the World Cup includes tournament favorite Brazil, Switzerland, and Costa Rica along with Serbia. Costa Rica has lost two of their last three friendlies before Group E play at the World Cup, against England and Belgium. Despite these losses, Patrick Vieira, the former coach of NYCFC and a World Cup winner with France in 1998, advised Matarrita and Wallace to "just enjoy" their first World Cup tournament.
Matarrita was playing for Costa Rican side Alajuelense, and Wallace was with the Portland Timbers during the 2014 World Cup. Both players were not part of the Costa Rican national team during the 2014 World Cup, but they are looking forward to their personal World Cup debuts together.
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