VANCOUVER, B.C - After an exciting journey to join up with the Costa Rican national team last week at the Gold Cup. Whitecaps centre-back Kendall Waston is back in Vancouver training with his teammates after Los Ticos were unceremoniously dismissed from the 2015 Gold Cup competition. A shambolic decision to award Mexico's Oribe Peralta a controversial penalty in the 120' minute left many fans, pundits, and supports with shock and disbelief. Waston has two caps with Costa Rica and did not enter the match vs Mexico. He talked about the experience and the penalty decision.
"It was normal because two years ago I played Gold Cup. Now it was disappointing because the way how the referee whistled the PK. Everybody know it wasn't no PK. We know there's a lot of things behind it, but we have to deal with it."
During the match and following the conclusion, Waston is not aware of any explanation being given for the bogus penalty. Costa Rica was robbed of an opportunity to possibly move onto penalties with a semifinals match vs Panama on the horizon. A fired up Waston believes he knows who is responsible for the penalty decision and why it was called.
"No, they're never going to make any explanation about it. We know there is a lot of things behind the CONCACAF. They would lost a lot of money if Mexico or the U.S. don't go to the final so we know there is a lot things behind (it)."
Despite Mexico dominating and creating the majority of scoring chances. The match was a hotly contested defensive stalemate. Neither side did enough to finish their opportunities. The six-foot and five-inch Whitecaps defender admits that matches between Mexico and Costa Rica don't offer up a Mona Lisa type of contest.
"We played good. Not like how we wanted, but it was a tough game. It was quite a hard game. Mexico and Costa Rica, those matches are sometimes not beautiful to see, but it's hard game. Now we're just looking forward for the qualifiers for the World Cup."
Costa Rica will join CONCACAF World Cup qualifying during the Fourth Round of the qualifying process in the fall. Waston was given no indication if he will be called up for those matches. Costa Rica Coach Paulo Wanchope is keeping an eye on Waston, but has given no confirmation of his roster plans.
"No, he only told me that they're going to keep on thinking about calling me. I just have to play here. Now I'm just thinking 100% with the Whitecaps because we have a lot of things to win for."
One individual who supports Waston and is a massive fan is, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman was full of support for Waston on social media last month in an effort to get Waston to the MLS All-Star game in Colorado on Wednesday, July 29 vs Tottenham.
For now, Kendall Waston is going to keep doing his thing and playing like a boss. He is among the MLS leaders in clearances and a physical force on the pitch. He's an anchor on the Whitecaps back-line and an integral part to the defensive success of the team. Waston has proclaimed himself fit and ready to take on the visiting San Jose Earthquakes this coming Sunday afternoon at BC Place.
"We are thinking only in ourselves. We know if we win all the games at home that's going to keep us in the first positions and that's what we want. We want to keep doing our things. It was important that the guys take a good draw, it was a very important point. Now at home we have to go for the three points."
Notes:The 27 year-old Waston is currently sporting a protective apparatus on his broken left thumb. The injury occurred during an away fixture against the Colorado Rapids earlier this season.
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