The United States has never won in Costa Rica during World Cup qualifying. In fact, they've earned only one point, a draw way back in 1985, in a game played in a stadium that was not the den of horrors that is Estadio Saprissa.

This time around, nothing would seem to have changed; the Americans still haven't proven they can play up to their full abilities on the road in CONCACAF, Bob Bradley's squad is dealing with rust and fatigue, and the Ticos are sure to be motivated to defeat the US at home in front of their rowdy countrymen once again.

Still, the Yanks can (and should) win. My five reasons why after the jump.

1. Experience

The US squad, almost to a man, has been through this before. Is Costa Rica and Saprissa on a different level than El Salvador and Estadio Cuscatlan? Absolutely. But the scare in El Salvador should steel the nerves of the Americans, giving them a greater resolve to not let it happen again. The Americans know they can win, and the battle-tested nature of the veterans needs to shine brightly. It's probably impossible to ever be comfortable playing in a place where the crowd seems to be right on top of you, but the team knows what to expect. If they can adjust to their surroundings reasonably quickly having seen them before, it will serve them well.

2. Form & Confidence

Although the Americans head to San Jose with several members of their squad arriving late or simply unable to train with the team significantly, good recent club form should ease the transition. The group as a team is also coming off of April's thumping of Trinidad & Tobago, and while that match is too distant to be a major factor in terms of cohesive play, it's sure to still be in the players' minds as they warm up for Costa Rica. Jozy Altidore's coming out party will certainly bolster his confidence, and as he'll more than likely line up at striker for the Americans, it can't hurt their chances.

3. Tactics

Say what you will about Bob Bradley's strategy and its usual conservative nature; the American head man knows how to give his team a chance to win. It's assumed that Bradley will rely on defensive play in the midfield to help his back line, tactics that make sense on Saprissa's fast artificial surface. Wing play will be key, and speed with be crucial; the Americans have some of both, though it will be up to the players Bradley puts out there to get the job done. Expect the strategy to be sound, with adjustments necessary as the game goes on. Changes will play a large part; Bradley has the pieces to get the win, and it will be the way those pieces are played that will ultimately decide the outcome.

4. Due Theory

I strongly believe in the due theory; nothing lasts forever, even a zero percent record against a good footballing nation in a hostile environment where fans are likely to throw unspeakable things. Eventually, the American are bound to get a win. I think it's safe to say that the US is an overall better team than Costa Rica, and that's going to show itself one of these years. The weakest of the reasons listed here? Perhaps, but it's might be the one that gives me most hope. The historical record isn't so long and disheartening that it should weigh on the minds of the players. They know the job in front of them, and their goal is to win. It doesn't matter to them that the US hasn't fared well in Saprissa in the past. When it comes down to it, and I truly believe this, the US is due.

5. Quality

The United States is ranked fifteenth in the world, Costa Rica forty-first. While the FIFA rankings leave a lot to be desired and shouldn't necessarily be used to predict head-to-head results, twenty-six places is a substantial gap. The American roster is chock full of foreign-based players, many of whom ply their trade in the top-flights of Europe. While Costa Rica's roster isn't without talent, it's comprised mostly of domestically-based players. Costa Rica's league, and specifically the top three or four teams, are nothing to sneeze at; but that doesn't mean that the overall quality of the Ticos is on par with the Americans. Quality usually wins out in soccer, and though that hasn't been true of the recent history between the two nations, it's an advantage that can't be overlooked.

Remember, these aren't reasons that the US will win, just reasons they can. It will be up to the players to decide if these reasons come to bear on Wednesday night.