by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Mar 18, 2015

Michael Arroyo

Esteban Ramirez

Yendrick Ruiz

Jonatan Hansen

Ventura Alvarado

Costa Rica is the new giant of Concacaf. Last year, the Ticos reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup and had three teams -- more than from any other country -- win their groups in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. Herediano and Alajuelense are in the semifinals, and Herediano is on the verge of reaching the final after a 3-0 win over Mexico's last hope, Club America, in their first leg.The game turned on a 27th-minute red card to America'sthat prompted a melee. Herediano was up a man the rest of the way but needed until the 53rd minute to open the scoring on a goal by, who helped set up Ramirez's goal, added the second goal on a header in the 69th minute andadded to Herediano's lead in the 82nd minute.Americanwent the distance for Club America, which will host the second leg at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on April 8.