Team USA Buries Costa Rica 1-0 in World Cup Qualifier

Clint Dempsey punched in the games only goal in the 16th minute after a deflected ball landed in front of him in the middle of the goal area. The game will go down as controversial because the build up of snow changed the style of the game. It was odd to see so much snow on the field. One could barely see the ball (color yellow) or the US players (white uniforms). The Costa Rican coach Pinto was upset and quipped that the game should have been stopped. FIFA rules require that the pitch lines are clearly visible for the referees. In the 55th minute, the game was temporarily stopped by the referee. In a bizarre scene that left the announcers asking questions, the referee appeared to stop the game after talking to players, coaches and referees. Surprisingly he motioned for play to continue. The US coach Jurgen Klinsman felt team USA had an advantage and pushed to finish the match.