![Costa Rica players sit on the bench prior to kickoff...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica players sit on the bench prior to kickoff of their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday,...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico fan Rutilio Reyes and his son Rudy Jr. show...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico fan Rutilio Reyes and his son Rudy Jr. show their support for their team before kickoff of their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa and teammate Miguel Layun watch as...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa and teammate Miguel Layun watch as the ball trickles into the net on a s hot from David Ramirez's shot during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl against Costa Rica on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Diego Reyes from Mexico heads the ball during their Internatonal...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Diego Reyes from Mexico heads the ball during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico players Javier Hernandez (top) and Giovani Dos Santos (right)...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico players Javier Hernandez (top) and Giovani Dos Santos (right) celebrate after Hernandez scored a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico player Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring a goal during...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico player Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa grabs a shot in front of...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa grabs a shot in front of Johan Venegas from Costa Rica during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans wait in line to enter the stadium before kickoff...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Fans wait in line to enter the stadium before kickoff of the Internatonal friendly featuring Mexico against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa makes a save during their Internatonal...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa makes a save during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl against Costa Rica on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) scores a goal during...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) scores a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico player Diego Reyes (5) and Costa Rica player Deyver...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico player Diego Reyes (5) and Costa Rica player Deyver Vega (14) collide during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Dr. Luis Acosta shows his support for team Costa Rica...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Dr. Luis Acosta shows his support for team Costa Rica before their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico's Francisco Rodrigues, left, and Joel Campbell from Costa Rica...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico's Francisco Rodrigues, left, and Joel Campbell from Costa Rica both go for the ball during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Dr. Luis Acosta shows his support for team Costa Rica...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Dr. Luis Acosta shows his support for team Costa Rica before their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Costa Rica fans cheer their team during their Internatonal friendly...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica fans cheer their team during their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico players Javier Hernandez (left) and Giovani Dos Santos (10)...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico players Javier Hernandez (left) and Giovani Dos Santos (10) celebrate after Hernandez scored a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans party in the parking lot before the start of...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Fans party in the parking lot before the start of the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa makes an athletic save during the...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa makes an athletic save during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico fans cheer during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico fans cheer during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico's Oribe Peralta goes up for a header against Celso...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico's Oribe Peralta goes up for a header against Celso Borges, 5, from Costa Tica during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans wait in line to enter the stadium before kickoff...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Fans wait in line to enter the stadium before kickoff of the Internatonal friendly featuring Mexico against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Javier Hernandez from Mexico heads the ball during their Internatonal...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Javier Hernandez from Mexico heads the ball during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa makes a save during their Internatonal...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa makes a save during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl against Costa Rica on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![David Ramirez from Costa Rica heads the ball as Mexico's...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
David Ramirez from Costa Rica heads the ball as Mexico's Hector Moreno defends during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Abdres Guardado, left and teammate Giovani Dos Santos challense the...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Abdres Guardado, left and teammate Giovani Dos Santos challense the referee's call during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Javier Hernandez from Mexico heads a shot towards the goal...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Javier Hernandez from Mexico heads a shot towards the goal during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl against Costa Rica on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) celebrates in front of...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) celebrates in front of frustrated Mexico fans after Ramirez scored a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico's Jorge Torres challenges Elias Aguilar from Costa Rica during...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico's Jorge Torres challenges Elias Aguilar from Costa Rica during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![David Ramirez from Costa Rica celebrates with his teammates after...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
David Ramirez from Costa Rica celebrates with his teammates after scoring his first goal during their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Javier Hernandez from Mexico heads the ball during their Internatonal...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Javier Hernandez from Mexico heads the ball during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mesico fans cheer their team during their Internatonal friendly against...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mesico fans cheer their team during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico fans show their support for their team before their...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico fans show their support for their team before their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![An hour after the game is over, workers are removing...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
An hour after the game is over, workers are removing the real grass that was put down over the original artificial turf surface following the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. The real grass was used for the one game and will be discarded. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico players celebrate after a goal during the Costa Rica...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico players celebrate after a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans wait in line to enter the stadium before kickoff...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Fans wait in line to enter the stadium before kickoff of the Internatonal friendly featuring Mexico against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans show their support for team Mexico before kickoff of...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Fans show their support for team Mexico before kickoff of their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans party in the parking lot before the start of...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Fans party in the parking lot before the start of the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) celebrates with teammate Jonathan...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) celebrates with teammate Jonathan Orozco (12) in front of frustrated Mexico fans after Ramirez scored a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Costa Rica head coach Paulo Cesar Wanchope watches as Mexico's...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica head coach Paulo Cesar Wanchope watches as Mexico's Hector Herrera controls the ball during their International friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera talks toJose Juan Vazquez during...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera talks toJose Juan Vazquez during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico fan Rutilio Reyes and his son Rudy Jr. show...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico fan Rutilio Reyes and his son Rudy Jr. show their support for their team before kickoff of their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![David Ramirez from Costa Rica celebrates after scoring hs second...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
David Ramirez from Costa Rica celebrates after scoring hs second goal during their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) celebrates with teammate Jonathan...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica player David Ramirez (21) celebrates with teammate Jonathan Orozco (12) in front of frustrated Mexico fans after Ramirez scored a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Team Mexico fans show their support before kickoff of the...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Team Mexico fans show their support before kickoff of the Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Javier Hernandez from Mexico, right, challenges Junior Diaz from Costa...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Javier Hernandez from Mexico, right, challenges Junior Diaz from Costa Rica during their Internatonal friendly at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexco fans do the wave during their Internatonal friendly against...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Mexco fans do the wave during their Internatonal friendly against Costa Rica at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![David Ramirez from Costa Rica blasts a shot that would...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
David Ramirez from Costa Rica blasts a shot that would find the back of the net for his first goal during their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Costa Rica fans cheer during their Internatonal friendly against Mexico...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Costa Rica fans cheer during their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Fans cheer before the start of the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
![Celso Borges, 5, from Costa Rica goes up for a...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Celso Borges, 5, from Costa Rica goes up for a challenge during their Internatonal friendly against Mexico at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Mexico players Javier Hernandez (left) and Giovani Dos Santos (10)...]()
Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel
Mexico players Javier Hernandez (left) and Giovani Dos Santos (10) celebrate after Hernandez scored a goal during the Costa Rica versus Mexico international friendly soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Mexico and Costa Rica tied 2-2 during an international friendly at the Citrus Bowl Saturday, with El Tri coming to life to erase Los Ticos’ 2-0 halftime lead.
Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos slipped past the defense and buried a shot into the far corner of the net to make the score 2-1 in the 53rd minute. Dos Santos later set up Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in the box, with Chicharito falling sideways as headed the ball in to tie the match 2-2 in the 55th minute.
The match drew an announced crowd of 53,629, with the crowd heavily favoring Mexico and exploding with the team’s second-half surge fueled in part by greater energy from El Tri and a switch to a 4-4-2 attack.
It was a far different look than Mexico provided during the first half.
Mexico coach Miguel Herrea went with three talented forwards in the starting lineup — Dos Santos, Chicharito and Carlos Vela — but it left El Tri vulnerable in the counter-attack.
Costa Rica’s David Ramirez slipped past Mexico’s defense, including Miguel Layun, and blasted a shot into the net that bounced off Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa and gave Los Ticos an a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of the match.
Mexico opened in the 5-2-3 formation, but it has since adjusted to try to gain momentum.
El Tri has had a few promising opportunities, but Costa Rica has been the far more dangerous and attacking side during the first 45 minutes of the match. Los Ticos have been quicker to the ball and more aggressive with their tackles. Costa Rica has also managed to box in Chicharito, leaving the Mexican striker little room to operate near the net.
In the 36th minute, Mexico’s Layun was credited with an own-goal when he failed to clear a Ramirez cross. Ochoa has struggled in the net for El Tri against a relentless Costa Rica attack.
The match started shortly after 6 p.m. and is being broadcast on ESPN2 and Univision.
Mexico fans out-number Costa Rica fans and roared in support of their team before kickoff. The heat has had an impact on fans waiting to enter the stadium, with facility staff handing out water to aid those in line.
Check back soon for postgame coverage.
