A Nashville SC player has been called in to represent his country. It should come as no surprise that Randall Leal – a full Costa Rica international, and just inside the age cutoff for the Olympics (by 14 days) – will help the Ticos qualify for the 2021 Olympic games. Costa Rica will play two friendlies this month to prepare for the Concacaf Qualifying tournament.
Both matches will be against Central American rival Honduras, and take place in Costa Rica. The first is at Estadio Nacional Feb. 23, and the second at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Feb. 25. Leal, who spent most of his career prior to joining Nashville in his home country, is very familiar with both stadia. He’s particularly familiar with Estadio Saprissa, having played for Deportivo Saprissa in 2018-19 and the 2019 Apertura (Fall, first-half season). His return to the stadium he called home as a member of El Monstruo Morado will be a nice way to cap off the offseason prior to his second year with Nashville SC.
In 32 appearances with youth and senior teams for Costa Rica, Leal has scored five total goals.
It is likely that Leal will be a member of Costa Rica’s official roster for Olympic qualifying. Although he’s no longer in the U-23 age group, the delay of the Olympics by a year means that age-24 players are also eligible. Should he join the team and Costa Rica qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, the tournament takes place July 22-Aug. 7.
Club and Country 