The Men’s Soccer World Cup is coming up in June. For only the second time in the 21st century, Costa Rica will not be represented. For fans of La Sele, it is hard to fathom. Qualification seemed a given. Previous National Teams had gone head-to-head with Mexico, Team USA and Canada and earned their way to the ultimate fiesta de futbol, held every four years. This year, with the three aforementioned countries serving as tri-hosts, and three more spots available thanks to the cup expanding from 32 to 48 teams, Ticos throughout the region looked forward to the possibility of a quick flight north to catch La Sele in person. Alas, it was not to be. All Costa Rica had to do was win a mini-league that also consisted of Nicaragua, Honduras and Haiti. Six games, three in San Jose, over opponents that the Ticos had routinely dispatched in the past. Game one should have been an indicator that this group was not going to be the expected cakewalk. Nicaragua, better known for baseball than soccer,...