CHICAGO (June 7, 2016) - The U.S. Men's National Team notched a resounding 4-0 win against regional rival Costa Rica in front of 39,642 fans at Soldier Field to breathe new life into its 2016 Copa America Centenario aspirations.
Needing a positive result to stay in the hunt for a top two spot in Group A, the U.S. executed a counter-attacking game plan to the tune of three goals in the first 42 minutes. Forward Clint Dempsey stuffed the stat sheet for the USA, notching the opening goal - the 50th of his illustrious MNT career in the 9th minute from the penalty spot - and then assisting both Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood in the final 10 minutes of the opening half.
The U.S. backline of DeAndre Yedlin, Geoff Cameron, John Brooks and Fabian Johnson also put in a strong shift, limiting the Ticos to six total shots (just two on goal) en route to helping goalkeeper Brad Guzan claim his third clean sheet in the team's last four games.
The USA (1-1-0, 3pts) temporarily moves into a tie with Colombia (1-0-0, 3pts) atop Group A; however, los Cafeteros play Paraguay (0-0-1, 1pt) in the day's late game. Costa Rica (0-1-1, 1pt) drops to the bottom of the group standings.
The tournament continues for the MNT on Saturday, June 11, against Paraguay at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The third Group A match for both teams will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and be broadcast live on FS1, UniMas and UDN. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter @ussoccer and @ussoccer_esp.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA - Clint Dempsey (penalty kick), 9th minute: Bobby Wood won the U.S. a penalty call when he was bowled over by Christian Gamboa as he attempted to meet a DeAndre Yedlin cross in the 7th minute. Despite Costa Rica's attempts at gamesmanship in advance of the kick, Dempsey made no mistake from the spot, sending Ticos' goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton the wrong way and tucking a crack shot in the bottom right corner of the net. USA 1, CRC 0
USA - Jermaine Jones (Clint Dempsey), 37th minute: The U.S. broke out in a three-on-three rush with Dempsey leading the charge flanked by Jones on the left and Bedoya on the right. Near the top of the Costa Rica penalty area, Dempsey drew the defense to him before laying the ball off to Jones who curled a low shot from right on the 18-yard line into the far, right-hand side netting to extend the U.S. lead. USA 2, CRC 0
USA - Bobby Wood (Clint Dempsey), 42nd minute: The U.S. gained a spell of possession inside the Costa Rica half and tried to work the ball into the penalty area through Dempsey, but upon being rebuffed at the first attempt, Dempsey turned creator-in-chief once again and slipped the ball to Wood, who took two nifty touches, turned and ripped a shot on goal that caught Pemberton flat-footed in his goal before nestling into the bottom right corner. USA 3, CRC 0
USA - Graham Zusi, 87th minute: Chasing down a clearance on the right wing, Zusi caught a Costa Rica defender in possession and stole the ball. Breaking in on goal, Zusi outmaneuvered a defender to create space for a shot from the center of the top of the box that zipped along the ground into lower left corner of the goal for the final margin. USA 4, CRC 0 FINAL
Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA - Fabian Johnson , 39th minute: Costa Rica attempted to hit back immediately after conceding its second goal and pushed up the USA's right flank. A low cross was whipped across the face of the U.S. goal that was intended for the run of Joel Campbell, but Johnson kept pace with the speedy Ticos attacker and slid in to win the ball and deny a point blank scoring opportunity.
Next on the Schedule: The U.S. MNT concludes Group A play in the 2016 Copa America Centenario against Paraguay on June 11 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Broadcast information: FS1, UniMas, UDN
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