Bulls Abroad: Miller sits while Costa Rica upsets Uruguay

In their first group stage game of the 2014 World Cup, Costa Rica faced off against an Uruguay team without Luis Suarez in the starting XI, they also went with a lineup that didn't include New York Red Bull Roy Miller. The Ticos employed a 5-4-1 formation to counter Uruguay's attacking style, but with Junior Diaz on the left instead of Miller.

Uruguay came out and pushed Costa Rica back, and it looked like they would have firm control of the match. In the 22nd minute, Junior Diaz conceded a penalty when he thought he was in the NFL and wrapped his arms around Diego Lugano, and brought he down from behind. Edinson Cavani stepped up for Uruguay and put the penalty away for their only goal. For the rest of the first half, Uruguay had better possession, but never put away any chances.

Costa Rica came out of halftime as a team possessed, and it only took less than ten minutes to draw even with Joel Campbell netting his first in the 54th minute, and that was quickly followed up by Oscar Duarte in the 57th minute. Suddenly, Costa Rica, the only team in Group D not to win a World Cup, was leading Uruguay, who had no answer. Suarez stayed on the bench, and Uruguay never had a real sniff at goal for the rest of the game. For good measure though, Costa Rica added a 3rd goal in the 84th minute, and it was officially over. Costa Rica had won the game, without giving up a goal in the run of play, and without Roy Miller on the field.

Next up for Miller and Costa Rica Is Italy on June 20th at 12:00 pm Eastern on ESPN.