Chicago Fire defender and captain Francisco Calvo got the starting nod for Costa Rica in their 1-1 international friendly draw against Qatar in Hartberg, Austria on Friday morning.
Midfielder Hasan Al Haydos got Qatar on the board first, putting away a penalty kick in the 42nd minute to deliver a lead late in the first half. Joel Campbell then put a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Meshaal Aissa to equalize for Costa Rica in the 67th.
Calvo was deployed at left fullback in head coach Rónald González’s 4-4-2 formation. The 28-year-old put in a 90-minute shift on the day, and received his 51st cap for Costa Rica in the process.
The appearance was Calvo’s first for Los Ticos since their 1-1 draw with Haiti in CONCACAF Nations League play on Nov. 18, 2019. He started and appeared 22 times for the Fire in defense in the 2020 MLS regular season.
Friday’s draw was the first of two international friendlies that Calvo and Costa Rica will take part in during the current FIFA window. Los Ticos will next face Euskadi (Basque Country) on Monday, Nov. 16 at 1:45 p.m. CT at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurúa in Eibar, Spain.
