Colombia are aiming to secure top spot in Group A of the Copa America when they play a Costa Rica team all but eliminated from the tournament in Houston on Saturday.
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Paraguay were largely outplayed by Colombia in the first half, and after 30 minutes the score was 2-0 to the Los Cafeteros – this time it was Rodriguez who was the scorer. The U.S.’s 4-0 beating of Costa Rica on Tuesday means that the host nation can advance with a win or a draw against Paraguay, assuming Colombia beats Costa Rica.
With one point, Paraguay can still qualify for the next round but it must defeat the United States in the final game and hope that Colombia takes care of Costa Rica either with a win or a draw. Suddenly their goal-differential of minus-2 was flipped around to plus-2. Graham Zusi added a late goal for the United States, which moved ahead of Costa Rica in the Group A standings. Bobby Wood was knocked down in the box in the eighth minute, allowing Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey to convert the penalty kick and notch his 50th career goal for his country.
Colombia (2-0-0, six points) would clinch first place in the group with a tie or a win against Costa Rica on Saturday.
The Americans take on Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Paraguay played the last 10 minutes of the match with 10 men when midfielder Oscar Romero was sent off after seeing his second yellow card. After a scare halfway through the half when a header bounced off the left post, the USA team locked down for the rest of the game.
Going into the Paraguay game, though, questions remain for Klinsmann. Obviously, the crowd will be squarely on the Americans’ side which will provide a nice home-field advantage. But despite starting the exact same lineup as the one as against Colombia, Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad showed just what it can do with a Clint Dempsey-inspired 4-0 win over their CONCACAF rivals. The World Cup quarter-finalists in 2014, came close of grabbing a consolation through their skipper Bryan Ruiz, who hit the post midway through the second half.
If Paraguay lives up to its name of being the “worst team” for Group A, United States of America will certainly claim victory on Saturday.
They pressed down on the pedal and never budged, scoring two hard goals in simple fashion from Jones and Wood, sending fans off the walls with enthusiasm. “I think it’s just a good relationship with everyone on the team”.
With Costa Rica looking a little ragged, the US kept up the attack.
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The win came as a welcome relief for U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, whose tenure has faced mounting criticism over the past 18 months after a series of disappointing performances in competitive matches.
