If Ecuador beats Haiti by one goal, and Peru draws, then points and goal difference will be level – it will then come down to goals scored and if that is still level second place would be decided by a drawing of lots as the group game between the two nations finished 2-2.
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In the Group A final match for the both teams, the United States find themselves in control of their own destiny ahead of their Group A finale against Paraguay.
Highlights of USA’s 4-0 win against Costa Rica in the Copa America, courtesy of Premier Sports. “Mexico have also got a good win, but you can’t rule out anyone, and we have to think about ourselves and to focus on making another final”. The attacking midfielder’s performance was all the more impressive when Colombia coach Jose Pekerman admitted that Rodriguez’s shoulder had been seriously injured during Colombia’s 2-0 win over the United States on Friday and that the player could even potentially require surgery to fix the issue.
Colombia created the best chances of the game with the speed of Juan Cuadrado and the skill of James Rodríguez.
Carlos Bacca and James Rodriguez got on the score sheet for Columbia while Ayala scored the one goal for Parguay. We had to up our game. Earlier that evening, the USA thrashed Costa Rica (0-1-1) 4-0 at Soldier Field in Chicago which means that all the Americans need to advance on Saturday is a tie against Paraguay.
Los Cafeteros raced away to a two-goal lead by the half-hour mark but struggled to put the Paraguayans away and in the end, came away with a narrow win, after Oscar Romero’s red card on 81 minutes. “We have to keep a high level of aggressiveness and keep the determination going from the first second of the game”. After a scare halfway through the half when a header bounced off the left post, the US team locked down for the rest of the game. Diaz was furious with Brazilian referee Heber Lopes’ decision. A terrific first half punctuated with one of the best 35 mins of football played by Klinsmann’s squad in years to have a large 3-0 advantage at the break.
The US will close group play on Saturday against Paraguay.
Dempsey became only the second US player to reach that milestone, joining Landon Donovan, who is the Americans’ all-time scoring lead with 57 goals. Surrounded by defenders, Edwin Cardona tipped the ball outside to the charging star, and Rodriguez slotted a pinpoint shot into the far corner of the net.
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Whether or not Klinsmann decides to continue to try a 4-3-3, or with the 4-4-2 formation that gave the USMNT life Tuesday night remains to be seen, but if the Yanks want to prove that they can hang with the big boys, clinching a spot in the quarterfinals is a must.
