Costa Rica rises up to defeat Cuba.(soccer)

Byline: Michael Ko

SEATTLE _ Maybe it was the Cuban team's youth. Maybe it was Costa Rica's revamped roster. Or maybe it was just the early 11:30 a.m. start.

Whatever the reason, Cuba and Costa Rica appeared to sleepwalk through the first half of their Gold Cup soccer tournament match Saturday at Qwest Field. The teams each managed one shot on goal, and the loudest cheers came after some fancy dribbling by the Costa Rican forwards.

But ``Los Ticos,'' taking advantage of a key halftime substitution and another late collapse by the Cuban squad, woke up first and won 3-1. After two victories in Seattle, Costa Rica concludes Group B play next week in Foxboro, Mass., …