COSTA RICA · SPORTS
Key Facts
- The player Alexis Gamboa, a central defender for Costa Rican club Alajuelense, hurt his left knee in Quito.
- What happened He left on a stretcher in Costa Rica’s 2-0 loss to Ecuador on Friday 13 November.
- The verdict Coach Bryan Ruiz says Gamboa is almost certain to miss the Argentina friendly on Tuesday 17 November.
- The fix Defender Kendall Waston is flying to Córdoba, Argentina, to join the squad.
- Power Index Costa Rica ranks 9th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 35.5 points (November 2026 edition).
Costa Rica lost a defender and a match on the same night. Alexis Gamboa, a tall centre-back, was carried off in Quito on Friday 13 November 2026 with a knee injury, and the national team now faces Argentina without him.
For US soccer fans, the story is a small test of a new era. Bryan Ruiz, the new national team coach, is trying to build a back line while his side prepares for one of the sport’s biggest names.
What Happened in Quito
Gamboa came on as a substitute in the second half of the friendly between Ecuador and Costa Rica. Within about 30 seconds he cleared a ball and took a hard challenge that hit his left knee.
He tried to play on, but a couple of minutes later he lay on the grass and asked to come off. After medical treatment, staff carried him to the dressing rooms on a stretcher, and he left with his hands on his head.
Defender Diego Mesén replaced him at about the 64th minute and was sent off roughly two minutes later. Late in the match, Costa Rica defender Juan Pablo Vargas fouled an opponent in the penalty area, and Ecuador midfielder Moisés Caicedo scored the penalty.
What the Federation Says
The Costa Rican Football Federation, the body that runs the national team, said Gamboa has a left knee injury. It said he would fly home on Saturday 14 November in the morning for an MRI scan, a detailed medical image, in Costa Rica, and that it has coordinated the process with his club.
After the match Ruiz said Gamboa is being assessed and possibly cannot play against Argentina. The coach added that his staff now has to decide who replaces him.
The Replacement and the Next Match
The federation said Kendall Waston, a defender for Costa Rican club Saprissa, will travel from Costa Rica to Córdoba, Argentina, to join the squad. Ruiz asked for another centre-back, a defender in the middle of the back line, for the next friendly.
Costa Rica plays Argentina on Tuesday 17 November at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium, the main football ground in Córdoba. The kickoff time has been reported differently, so check the federation’s announcement before you plan to watch.
Why It Matters Beyond One Match
The injury comes at a hard moment for Gamboa. He has already had a difficult second half of 2026, including a left knee injury that kept him away from Alajuelense for about two months.
It also adds pressure on a defence that conceded 2 goals in Quito and lost a substitute to a red card. Ruiz, early in his tenure as coach, now has to rebuild the back line before the next game.
What It Means for You
If you follow Costa Rican soccer from the United States, expect a changed back line against Argentina on Tuesday evening. Fans with tickets or travel plans to Córdoba should watch the federation’s announcements for the final squad.
If you follow Alajuelense, the club Gamboa plays for, the MRI result will decide how long he is out. That result will also show whether his earlier left knee problem has returned.
What Is Not Known
The federation has not published the result of the MRI scan, so the severity of the injury is not known. It is also not known how long Gamboa will be out, or whether Ruiz will name any other replacement.
Ruiz said Gamboa will “possibly” miss the Argentina match, so a final decision has not been announced. The expected line-up for Tuesday has not been published.
More: Costa Rica news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Alexis Gamboa?
He is a central defender for Alajuelense, one of Costa Rica’s biggest clubs, and a Costa Rica national team player. He hurt his left knee on Friday 13 November 2026 against Ecuador.
Will Gamboa Play Against Argentina?
Coach Bryan Ruiz said he is almost certain to miss it. The federation is sending him home for an MRI scan on Saturday 14 November.
When Is Costa Rica Against Argentina?
The friendly is on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba. The kickoff time has been reported differently, so check the federation’s announcement.
Who Replaces Gamboa in the Squad?
The federation says defender Kendall Waston will join the team in Córdoba. Ruiz has not said who will start.
Sources: Costa Rican Football Federation (Fedefútbol), statement on Alexis Gamboa’s injury, 13 November 2026; statements by coach Bryan Ruiz after the Ecuador match, 13 November 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated AI newsroom. Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. The Rio Times also runs Ask Rio Times, which answers from 100,000+ of our own articles, the daily Latin America Power Map, and prediction-market odds on elections and markets.. How we use AI · Report an error