The United States faced Costa Rica in the last match for both teams in the CONCACAF hexagonal stage. Costa Rica could clinch a spot with a win or Honduras loss while the USA have already qualified. The Americans will try to focus as after the car accident to striker Charlie Davies who remains in a hospital and likely out for next summer’s World Cup. Here’s a recap of the Wednesday, October 14, 2009 match along with video highlights.

United States draws with Costa Rica 2-2 – Video Highlights

1st Half

The match was open in the first minutes as both teams had great chances. Jozy Altidore made a great individual play to hold possession and find a wide open Conor Casey at the edge of the box. Casey took a shot and should have scored but missed it high and wide. Costa Rica came back with chances of their own as Tim Howard was forced to make some solid saves.

Costa Rica would take the lead in the 21st minute as Bryan Ruiz scored. A through ball was sent for Ruiz who beat Onyewu and had only Howard to beat for the close range shot between the legs. The Americans obviously were not at their best considering they had already qualified and the accident to Davies. Costa Rica was the sharper and better team in the first 20 or so minutes.

It would get even worse for the United States as Costa Rica scored again in the 24th minute. The USA defense feel asleep and Ruiz took a terrific shot from just outside the box to the far left corner that gave Howard no chance to save it. Early the United States’ defense gave too much time and space to the Costa Rican attack.

In the 28th minute, the American had a great chance with a free kick on the left wing just outside the box. Landon Donovan sent the free kick into the box with a cross but Costa Rica goalkeeper Navas punched it out. Donovan had another chance in the 37th minute as he got a breakaway from a Jozy Altidore header. His left shot from inside the box was high and wide as the USA’s lacked the finishing in the final third.

In the final ten minutes, the United States starting to get some momentum and scoring chances. The USA had another free kick in the 43rd minute taken by Michael Bradley but deflected by the defense for a corner. Altidore set up another great chance as he sent a pass into the box that Casey left for Donovan to take the shot. It was sent low and saved by Navas. The Americans really put the pressure on late as Donovan got wide, sent a cross into to a wide open Altidore but Navas made the great save.

If not for some horrible finishing by the USA and solid goalkeeping from Navas, it could have easily been a tied match at halftime. Virtually all the possession and chances were with the United States for the last few minutes as Costa Rica played very defensive with their 2-0 lead. The first half would end at 2-0 and Costa Rica on their way to South Africa.

2nd Half

The United States continued to dominate possession and chances but the Costa Rican defense remained solid. Ruiz nearly added to the Costa Rican lead in the 60th minute as Howard was forced to make a diving save. Bob Bradley made his first sub of the name as Benny Feilhaber came off and Jose Francisco Torres came on in the 63rd minute. Robbie Rogers came on in the 69th minute for Stuart Holden.

It didn’t seem like the USA’s night as they couldn’t break down the Costa Rica defense despite having lots of possession in the final third. Finally, the United States would break through and find a goal to get them back in the match. Michael Bradley would score in the 71st minute to make it 1-2. Bradley was in front of the net and scored off a rebound from a shot. Bob Bradley made his final substitution with Kenny Cooper coming on for Casey.

The chances kept coming for the United States but they continued to miss them. Altidore had a great chance with a shot in the 80th minute but missed it wide. Robbie Rogers also had a great chance in the second half but sent his shot wide of goal. Late in the match, Costa Rican manager Rene Simoes was given a red card and ejected. It would remain 1-2 heading into five minutes of stoppage time.

The Americans had a few corner kicks and free kicks in stoppage time and finally convert one. A corner kick in the 5th minute of stoppage time with literally seconds before was headed in the back of the net by Jonathan Bornstein. It was an emotional and hard fought draw for the United States and disappointment for Costa Rica. If Costa Rica had held on for the win they would have earned 3rd place but now will have to play the 5th place finisher from CONMEBOL.