VANCOUVER, BC ā Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Friday that centre back Kendall Waston and midfielder Christian BolaƱos have been called up for the Costa Rican national team's final two matches in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
A single point for Costa Rica would clinch them a spot in the World Cup. They may also get in depending on how the United States and Honduras fare in each of their remaining two matches, as the two CONCACAF rivals trail the Costa Ricans in the standings.
The Ticos host Honduras on October 6, then round out their Hex schedule with a visit to Panama on October 10.
Waston and BolaƱos will miss the 'Caps visit to New York Red Bulls on Saturday, October 7 as they join their national side on October 1, then return with Whitecaps FC 10 days later.
Costa Rica currently sit in second place of the final round of World Cup Qualifying with a 4W-1L-3D record with 15 points. Panama are at 10 points, and the United States and Honduras are tied with nine points apiece. Each side has two remaining matches on their slate.
The top three teams will advance to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while the fourth-place team will advance to an inter-confederation playoff for the final berth.
Waston has two goals in 22 appearances for Costa Rica, while BolaƱos has six goals in 75 caps. The 'Caps have each been major contributors in Costa Rica's road to the World Cup, each having played in seven of the Ticos' eight matches in The Hex.
Whitecaps FC are back in action on Saturday when they visit Sporting Kansas City in a battle for the top spot in the Western Conference (6 p.m. PT on TSN2 and TSN 1040).
