Zurich, Switzerland

Due to a technicality, FIFA has dismissed Costa Rica's protest of last Friday's 1-0 loss to the United States in a World Cup qualifying game that was played in a snowstorm in Commerce City, Colorado.

A FIFA statement said the Costa Rica Football Association has failed to meet "conditions established in the regulation for an official protest".

"Therefore, the result of the match played on 22 March stands and is considered as valid," FIFA said.

According to FIFA, protests about the condition of the field and markings must be made in writing to the referee before the start of the game by the head of the delegation.

If the field should become unplayable during the game, a team captain is required to notify the game referee with the captain of the opposing team present.

The protest must be submitted in writing within two hours of the end of the game.

In this case, FIFA said it received a letter via e-mail and fax from the Costa Rica Football Association on March 24, 2013, two days after the game was played.

Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal to give the Americans a crucial win.

 

Highlights of the U.S. Men's National Team's 1-0 win against Costa Rica in blizzard-like conditions at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. Clint Dempsey got the only goal of the game for the USA as Jurgen Klinsmann's team earned its first win of the Hexagonal

Dempsey Scores Lone Goal as US Downs Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifying