Chicago Fire FC defender Francisco Calvo and the Costa Rica Men's National Team saw their run to the Concacaf Nations League final come to an end on Thursday night, falling 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout to Mexico in the League A Semifinals.
Calvo started and earned his 53rd appearance for Los Ticos on the night, helping his side to a 0-0 finish in regulation that sent the match directly to penalty kicks.
The Fire captain stepped up to take Costa Rica's fifth penalty kick, needing to score with Mexico at a 4-3 advantage. Calvo beat Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa with a low shot to the right, and leveled the score a four apiece to force a sudden death period.
Mexico would book their place in the competition's final on the next set of spot kicks, as Jesús Gallardo made it 5-4 for El Tri before Ochoa secured the win by saving Allan Cruz's attempt.
Costa Rica will get a chance to play for third place on Sunday against Honduras, who fell 1-0 to the United States in the other League A Semifinal on Thursday. That match will take place on Sunday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m. CT from Denver's Empower Field at Mile High.
Following Sunday's meeting with Honduras, Los Ticos will then face the United States in a friendly match at 6:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, June 9 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. The match will be televised on ESPN2, UniMás and TUDN.
