Rocky Rodriguez features in Costa Rica’s 3-1 loss to Mexico

Raquel “Rocky” Rodriguez started Costa Rica’s match against the Mexican National Team on the bench. Las Ticas traveled to the Estadio Azteca for the first of two friendlies with Mexico on Saturday.

This was Costa Rica’s first match since they were knocked out in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying semifinals by Canada 1-0. Mexico last played on March 11, 2020.

Rebeca Bernal opened the scoring. Nicole Perez lofted a corner kick to the back post and Bernal met it with force to give Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. Katty Martinez made it 2-0 with a beautiful left-footed strike in the 36th minute.

The two goal scorers almost linked up for a third at the beginning of the second half. The captain, Stephany Mayor, made sure to make it 3-0 in the 53rd minute with a diving header to cap off a deadly counter attack.

Rodriguez entered the match for Shirley Cruz in the 57th minute. She played as Las Ticas’ deep-lying midfielder tasked with winning the ball back, turning out of pressure and moving the ball forward when she first came on. But as the match progressed, Rodriguez drifted into more dangerous positions in the final third.

Costa Rica got one back in the 82nd minute. Fabiola Villalobos got free on a set-piece and headed in a consolation goal.

The two sides will meet again on Feb. 23 at 11:00 am (PT) in the Centro de Alto Rendimiento.