New Costa Rica soccer coach Rene Simoes faces early problems in World Cup qualifying

New Costa Rica coach faces early problems

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Rene Simoes is the new soccer of Costa Rica, and has problems after one day on the job.

He was hired Wednesday, a day after Rodrigo Kenton was fired after three straight losses during World Cup qualifying.

The Brazilian coach had hoped to assemble his team two weeks before its final group qualifying games — Oct. 10 at home against Trinidad and Tobago and Oct. 14 in Washington against the United States.

On Thursday, the directors of two clubs — Saprissa and Cartagines — said they would not give up their players for two weeks to the national team.

“This was negotiated beforehand with first-division teams,” Costa Rica federation president Eduardo Li said.

Costa Rica is trying to reach its third straight World Cup. It once led the North and Central American and Caribbean region but is now fourth with 12 points following losses to Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. The U.S. leads with 16 points, one ahead of Mexico and three in front of Honduras.

The top three teams qualify automatically and the No. 4 team faces a playoff with the fifth-place team in South America. The fifth-place team in South America is currently Argentina.