MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – For Francisco Calvo, playing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup was a dream come true.
The Costa Rica and Minnesota United DF appeared in two of the Ticos’ three matches in Russia, fulfilling a life-long objective.
“It was an amazing experience, a dream,” said Calvo to reporters in Minnesota this week.
“I’m happy for having that experience because most players never get the chance to be in a World Cup,” added Calvo.
Four years after winning its group and making a quarterfinal run at Brazil 2014, Costa Rica was unable to summon the same magic in Russia.
The Ticos were defeated 1-0 by Serbia and then 2-0 to five-time world champions Brazil before finishing on a positive note with a 2-2 draw against Switzerland.
Perhaps with some better fortune in the first two matches, things could have been different for Calvo & Co.
“I think that we lacked a bit of luck. I the first match I think that we played a little defensively, but good. And they scored that goal from a free kick. It was a great goal, but we wasted some chances. I’m sure that if we had scored first it would have been a different game.
“With Brazil we played well, but against that class of players you cannot give them the slightest chance,” said Calvo.
Now back in the fold with his club side, Calvo hopes to transmit his experience of playing against the world’s best to his teammates in the second half of the Major League Soccer season.
“It’s another level, it’s the top level, another type of intensity. And I just want to pass that a long to my team and teammates,” concluded Calvo.
