The Under-23 Men’s National Football Team of Costa Rica wrapped up its participation in the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic with a loss to the Toronto Football Club of the North American Major League Soccer (MLS). As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, the U-23 team took an opportunity to train for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro by accepting an invitation to match up against MLS clubs as well as a professional club from Denmark and a semipro team from Canada.

 

The IMG Suncoast Pro Classic was hosted by the prestigious IMG Academy, which is located in the Southwest Florida City of Bradenton. In this tournament, the Ticos matched up against the Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew and Toronto FC of the MLS as well as the London United from the United Soccer Leagues. The U-23 team gained valuable experience in Bradenton, but the players are coming back home with a sole victory against the London United, which is based in Ontario.

 

The U-23 team’s record of one victory and three losses is raising questions about the coaching staff led by Paulo Cesar Wanchope, who is also in charge of the celebrated Men’s National Football Team of Costa Rica. The only match won by the Ticos was against a semipro club that lost all four of its matches. To the player’s credit, their final match the Toronto FC was perhaps their best, and they faced a top-notch squad. Here’s the match recap courtesy of IMG Academy:

 

MLS side Toronto FC was looking to leave IMG Academy a winner in their final match after losing a spot in the championship final to New York on Wednesday. However, the Costa Rica U23 Men’s National were poised to challenge the star-studded MLS squad. Sebastian Giovinco put Toronto on the board early (9’) to provide a 1-0 advantage. The sides played to a stalemate until Giovinco’s volley to U.S. Men’s National Teamer Jozy Altidore was finished on the far post (63’). The Ticos rallied for a quick answer by Ariel Lassiter (68’), but it would not be enough. Toronto FC finished the match as winners by a 2-1 margin.