U.S. men

Convey's first international goal caps comeback to defeat Costa Rica 3-2, take third in Gold Cup.

MIAMI, Fla. (Saturday, July 27, 2003) -- Midfielder Bobby Convey's first international goal proved to be decisive for the United States which over came Costa Rica 3-2 to take third place in the Gold Cup before 5,093 at the Orange Bowl tonight.

Convey and his teammate, striker Earnie Stewart from Major League Soccer's D.C. United, scored within a 10-minute span in the second half to help the Americans erase a one-goal halftime deficit and negate a two-goal effort by Costa Rica forward Rolando Fonseca.

The U.S. finished its 2003 schedule with a 10-4-2 record, including nine shutouts.

"I would like to applaud our team. We were a different team in the second half," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena after defeating his predecessor Steve Sampson who, after being a youth coach in California, took over the Costa Rica program. "They responded quite well and beat a very good team. I have to applaud our opponent. Steve Sampson and his team did a fantastic job, having to travel from Mexico City. It turned out to be a great game."

The U.S. lost 2-1 in overtime to Brazil Wednesday in the semifinals in the Orange Bowl, Costa Rica fell 2-0 to Mexico Thursday at Stadia Azteca in Mexico City in a Thursday semi. If Brazil, a guest team in CONCACAF's championship tournament, defeats Mexico in tomorrow's championship match, the U.S. would face Mexico in a one-game playoff to determine the regional championship for North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The date and venue of that playoff is yet to be determined. The winner would qualify for the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany, assuming that tournament occurs.

The U.S. came out energized in the second half, applying heavy pressure on attack, pinning Costa Rica in its own end for long stretches. In the 56th minute, defender Greg Vanney send a long, looping right-side cross to Stewart unmarked on the back post. Twelve yards from goal, Stewart unleashed a wicked volley to the top left corner for his second goal in 2003 and his 17th career international tally, tying the score at 2-2

The U.S. continued forward and a quick counter-attack put the Americans ahead 3-2 in the 66th minute. After a free kick by Costa Rica midfielder Walter Centeno was collected by Kasey Keller, the U.S. goalkeeper quickly found forward Landon Donovan who moved quickly on goal. Donovan turned defender Mauricio Wright before slotting a pass to Convey, making a run all the way from his penalty area, slicing behind the Costa Rican defense. One step inside the box, Convey tucked a curling, left-footed strike just inside the near post.

In the 14th minute, the U.S. nearly gave up a goal on an ill-conceived back pass by defender Carlos Bocanegra into his box. Costa Rica forward Steven Bryce beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller to the ball and only a sliding save from defender Danny Califf prevented the U.S. from an early deficit.

Costa Rica did go ahead 1-0 in the 24th minute. From outside the area, Centeno played a hard pass to midfielder Steven Bryce who let the ball run to Fonseca. Fonseca touched the ball past Bocanegra, firing a low shot past Keller into the right corner of the net.

Five minutes later, a Costa Rica clearance of a U.S. corner went to Vanney who lofted a ball past the far post to Donovan. Donovan's deft first touch went back to Bocanegra who sent a left-footer into the far post from the top of the six-yard box for his fourth international goal and a 1-1 tie.

With the goal, became the fourth U.S. defender to score four goals in one year, a feat last accomplished by Marcelo Balboa who had four in 1994.

Costa Rica regained the lead in the 39th minute. Bryce beat midfielder DaMarcus Beasley down the right side of the box and sent a low cross across the goal mouth. Keller managed to get a hand on the ball, but the rebound fell to Fonseca, who quickly turned and shot past sliding defender Frankie Hejduk to make it 2-1.

Second half goals by Bobby Convey and Earnie Stewart highlighted a superior comeback as the United States erased a 2-1 deficit and defeated Costa Rica 3-2 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, earning the USA third place honors in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

This was the first time in 2003 the U.S. conceded two goals in consecutive matches. The last time he team had given up multiple goals in back-to-back games was May 19 and July 5 of 2002 against the Netherlands and Portugal.

Referee: Richard Piper (Trinidad & Tobago). Assistant referees: Anthony Garwood (Jamaica), Paul Messam (Bahrain). Attendance: 5,093 at Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla. Weather: 78 degrees, mild.