Men's Soccer Costa Rica Trip Blog: Final Entry

Emory University junior goalkeeper Caleb Grisell will be blogging throughout the men’s soccer team’s preseason trip to Costa Rica.

Click here to view pictures from the trip.

Day 8

We awoke early this morning, and, following a quick breakfast, loaded onto the bus to begin our drive back to San Jose. After a long and winding bus ride through the mountains we arrived back at the Double Tree hotel.  At 1:30, we left for our fourth and final game against Mexico Barrios FC.

I don’t think any of us have ever been so happy and excited to see artificial turf before… we could all dribble, pass and change direction without worrying about slipping, sliding or falling. After a short lightening delay, we began what turned out to be our best game of the trip.

Although we had played a game less than 24 hours ago, we came out with intensity and energy, possessing the ball and attacking with purpose and numbers. Zach Samuels and David Garofalo were extremely dangerous from the flanks, making numerous runs down the line and serving multiple balls into the box.  Nick Jones and Jake Graetz established a formidable presence in the middle of the field, making a number of hard and decisive tackles, controlling the tempo of the game and launching the attach. Charlie Donahue had the best opportunity of the game, with a blistering volley off of a Chris Howie cross that the keeper saved. We pressed the whole game but were unable to make the final breakthrough. After the game Coach Travis awarded Mexico Barrio FC’s goalkeeper with the player of the match for his save on Charlie’s volley, while Jake Graetz was awarded player of the match by Mexico Barrio FC.

We travelled back to our hotel and after showering and eating, we once again travelled into San Jose for a soccer game, this time, however, we were spectators. Gaby’s (our tour guide) brother had recently signed for L.F.A., one of the top teams in Costa Rica’s professional soccer league, so he was able to get us all excellent seats for their home match against Mexico Barrio FC’s senior team.

I have been to a myriad of sporting events, professional, collegiate and recreational, but none of them were comparable to this game. The fans were some of the most passionate I have ever seen, we were forced to exit the bus about four blocks before the stadium because the street was overrun with fans chanting, cheering and celebrating the game. Once we reached the stadium, my eyes were immediately attracted to the home team’s fan section. Composed of roughly 300 wild and rowdy fans, creating a sea of red and black jerseys, they were shouting, jeering and chanting the entire 90 minutes. After watching a game comprised of eight yellow cards, one red card and two goals, we made our way back to the bus, listening to the fans’ cries of victory as they celebrated into the night.