Fonseca Suffers Broken Wrist, Will Miss U.S.-Costa Rica Match

The U.S. national soccer team learned Friday that Costa Rica, its opponent in a vital World Cup ’98 qualifying match today at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, will be missing one of its star players.

Center forward Rolando Fonseca broke his wrist during training earlier in the week. He played an instrumental role in Costa Rica’s 2-1 victory over the Americans last Sunday in Costa Rica.

The United States and Costa Rica each have 3-1-0 records. This is the next-to-last game for both teams in this round of qualifying play for France ’98. Today’s winner is assured a place in the final round of qualifying.

Costa Rica’s last game is at home against winless Trinidad and Tobago (0-4-1) next Saturday. The United States closes against Guatemala (2-1-1) in El Salvador. Two teams will qualify for the final six-nation group.