THE heat will be turned up on Jay DeMerit tonight (Wednesday)* as The United States face Costa Rica in the blistering temperatures and thundery climate of San José for their World Cup qualifier.

The game is the first of two back-to-back fixtures for the USA in the next four days and is a key test for DeMerit's home country.

Although they enter the game carrying several injuries, Bob Bradley will be fielding a strong team of experienced internationals and players from all over the world, including the English Premier League.

DeMerit is the only Championship player to have made the final squad and with the Watford skipper back from injury he is looking likely to feature in the game.

The Americans have never won a qualifying game in Costa Rica, and the ramshackle stadium, the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, is famously known for having passionate sell-out crowds, so in the stifling heat the pressure will be on the visitors tonight.

Tonight's match is the USA's second away game of the 2010 final round campaign after drawing 2-2 in El Salvador on March 28 in San Salvador.

The Costa Ricans are currently second behind table-topping USA in the qualifying table, having won the last four of their five games.

A win for DeMerit and his countrymen would give the whole team a boost as they get stuck into a busy summer schedule and would be a big step in the right direction towards securing their place in the 2012 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

*Please note kick off is 7.30pm MT (USA)

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