It was a very tough night for Costa Rica on Tuesday, as they were thrashed 4-0 by the United States in Chicago yesterday. Unluckily, James Rodríguez got a shoulder injury and had to be substituted, making Rodríguez a grave doubt for the next two games against Costa Rica and Paraguay. But comments from U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati hours before the team’s match against Costa Rica brought new speculation that Klinsmann could be axed if the team fails to advance out of the group. Well, now he knows how much better it is to be on the other side. First came a flurry of near goals before Jermaine Jones converted.
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The US dominated their Central American rivals to the tune of 4-0, with Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Graham Zusi putting goals on the board and Klinsmann keeping his managerial job safe for the time being. The Americans take on Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
Costa Rica, meanwhile, seemed battered.
“It was important for us to get off to a nice start”, Dempsey said. Obviously, the result, especially here in the US, that’s all that matters to a lot of people…. It appeared that they knew that.
Costa Rica made a few changes to start the second half and looked the stronger team in the second half, but were unable to bite into the deficit, as Zusi grabbed a fourth for the home side in the 88th minute. “Once we got the second and third it became easier”.
The loss to Colombia ramped up criticism of Klinsmann, who said last month the team’s Copa goal was at least the semifinals.
The USMNT played their best match under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Tuesday night with a spectacular 4-0 win. And it worked – in a big way.
Wood was pushed in the back by Cristian Gamboa when he attempted to go after a cross into the box, drawing a penalty kick despite a series of protests in front of referee Roddy Zambrano. Dempsey, who plays for the Sounders, has 50 goals for the national team. His first global goal for the US came at Soldier Field, against England on May 28, 2005.
Paraguay continued to dominate the second half and were rewarded when midfielder Victor Ayala scored with a stunning 30-yard rocket in the 71st minute.
When Costa Rica gave up the ball, the US struck with alacrity.
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A loss to 23rd-ranked Costa Rica would have eliminated the USA team on the fifth day of the tournament. Wood fired his shot low and sneaked it past Pemberton for a 3-0 lead in the 42nd minute. I think it was one of those rare games. “It confirms the spirit of the group”. We had control, but in football you have to score. Everybody wants the others to do well.
