SANDY, Utah – Two of Real Salt Lake’s four internationals saw time for their national teams this weekend, with forward Alvaro Saborio playing the final 10 minutes in Costa Rica’s 3-1 home win over the U.S. on Friday and defender Abdoulie Mansally going the full 90 in Gambia’s 2-0 win over Tanzania on Saturday. RSL Captain Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando did not play for the U.S. in Friday’s match in Costa Rica.
Saborio and Costa Rica snatched first-place in the CONCACAF Hexagonal from the U.S. with Friday’s win. Los Ticos now sit on 14 points through seven of 10 Hexagonal games, one point ahead of the second-place Stars-and-Stripes.
Both Costa Rica and the U.S. can clinch a spot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night. Costa Rica would advance to Brazil with a win at Jamaica and a Mexico loss/tie at the U.S. Los Ticos could also qualify with a draw combined with a Mexico loss and a Panama loss/tie at Honduras. The U.S. would secure passage to next summer’s World Cup with a win over Mexico in Columbus and a Panama loss/tie at Honduras.
Gambia’s World Cup Qualifying campaign is now over. The Scorpions finished second round play with four points in six matches in Group C, 10 points behind group winners Ivory Coast.
All four of RSL’s internationals will be available for selection for Friday’s nationally televised match at Seattle Sounders FC. Friday’s match at Seattle will kickoff at 8:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network.
