EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Costa Rica coach Paulo Wanchope is adamant his side can overcome Mexico on Sunday in the Gold Cup quarterfinals at MetLife Stadium, but he's keeping his game plan closely guarded.
"There are many ways [to hurt Mexico]," said 38-year-old Wanchope in an exclusive interview with ESPN FC. "Obviously, I'm not going to express what we feel, see and analyze, due to respect."
The former Derby County striker did, however, go on to hint that the balance in Mexico's side hasn't been the best and that it is an area Costa Rica could take advantage.
"The balance between the attack and defense is something they have to resolve," stated Wanchope, who admitted his side's own failing in that same department.
Mexico seemed in control in its final Group C game at 2-0 up in the second half against Trinidad and Tobago last Wednesday, but ended up drawing 4-4 after an epic last 35 minutes. Since then, the pressure has mounted on El Tri coach Miguel Herrera, especially after one disputed report in the Mexican press claimed the players were growing weary of him.
But Wanchope isn't getting carried away about possible discord in the Mexico camp and how it could help the Brazil 2014 quarterfinalists.
"It is difficult [for us] because that pressure could drive their players," he said. "They are [Herrera's] players and are big players. We don't see it as a chance to take advantage, we are simply concentrated on what we should do and our possibilities [of winning], which are very good."
In the 2-2 draw between the two sides on June 27 in Orlando, Costa Rica stormed to a 2-0 lead at halftime, before Mexico came back after the break. Wanchope believes that the lessons learned from the friendly will come in handy ahead of Sunday's clash and is excited by playing at the home of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets.
"It'll be a very good party and a good opportunity," stated Wanchope. "We always like to play in a full stadium, independently of whether it is at home or away. It awakens the competitive spark, the internal calling that the boys possess and I'm sure that they are anxious for game-day to show what they are worth."
Wanchope recognized his team had limped into the knockout round of the Gold Cup after finishing second in Group B and thinks the key to overcoming El Tri on Sunday will be making sure his players keep calm in front of what is likely to be a heavily Mexico-dominated crowd in New Jersey.
"The key is emotional control, which we've talked about," said Wanchope. "Our players have to have the ability to control their emotions with 90,000 or 80,000 supporting Mexico, take charge of the game and the [key] moments of the game to be able to get the victory."
The winner of Costa Rica against Mexico will play either Panama or Trinidad and Tobago in the Gold Cup semifinals in Atlanta on Wednesday.