Costa Rica's hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup are now in the hands of a coach who is familiar with qualifying for the tournament.
The Costa Rican Federation hired Brazilian Rene Simoes to replace Rodrigo Kenton as head coach on Wednesday. He will make his debut when Costa Rica faces Trinidad & Tobago on Oct. 10.
Simoes first gained notoriety in the CONCACAF region by leading Jamaica to the 1998 World Cup. He followed that up with a stint as Trinidad & Tobago head coach prior to the 2002 World Cup. After a stint in women's soccer as the head coach of Brazil's Olympic silver medal-winning team, Simoes returned to the men's game, eventually returning to lead Jamaica. He was unable to get Jamaica past the second-round group stage (in a group that included Mexico, Honduras and Canada), and was fired.
Simoes most recently spent time coaching in his native Brazil, including a stint with Fluminense, before taking over Costa Rica on Wednesday.
What do you think of this hire? Relieved it wasn't someone like Leo Beenhaker? Worried that it's a head coach who is familiar with the United States? Don't think it will matter on Oct. 14 when the United States faces Costa Rica at RFK Stadium?
Share your thoughts below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
Have a tip, story idea or suggestion? Send it to:
