The U.S. will be looking at Dempsey for his experience.
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Dempsey had a goal and two assists in the first half, and the US team rebounded from its opening loss in Copa America with a convincing 4-0 victory over Costa Rica on Tuesday night before 39,642 at Soldier Field.
Copa America 2016 reached its second round of group stage games with Group A returning to action on Tuesday evening.
Colombia created the best chances of the game with the speed of Juan Cuadrado and the skill of James Rodríguez.
The team claimed an impressive 4-0 win over Costa Rica after suffering a 2-0 lost to Colombia just days before. In the final group games on Saturday, the US meet Paraguay in Philadelphia and Colombia take on Costa Rica in Houston.
After a tepid loss in their opening game put them under threat of elimination, the United States needed a riposte against Costa Rica on Tuesday. “We are full of energy, full of optimism, to get those three points”.
“Now we’ve put ourselves back in the driver’s seat with that result”. Victor Ayala pulled a goal back but Colombia hung on to become the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Then the USMNT routed Costa Rica. After Bobby Wood was shoved inside the box, the U.S. was given a penalty kick.
Costa Rica should have gone ahead in the sixth minute when a poor clearance from DeAndre Yedlin dropped to Joel Campbell but he hooked his effort wide of the post. It gave the United States a 3-0 lead.
“It was important for us to get off to an early start”, said Dempsey. Indeed, even Klinsmann conceded afterward that his side was shaky in the first 15 to 20 minutes. “That’s why we came out with that performance”.
Big players step up in big games, and Clint Dempsey stepped all the way up.
The U.S. allowed Costa Rica to control possession for most of the first half, but its defense limited Costa Rica’s chances. A loss to Paraguay would eliminate the US from the competition. Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey, who opened the scoring on a 9th-minute penalty kick, set up the Jones’ strike. This time Jones kept his shot low and found the back of the net for a 2-0 lead. Some comments today were, ‘What if you lose that game?’ Why would you think that way? I know people talk. Perhaps it was improved team chemistry, or maybe the Colombians are just that good.
Dempsey fired the U.S.in front the penalty spot in the 9th minute after Wood was fouled inside the penalty area.
After Graham Zusi added a goal off a steal later in the game, the USMNT left Soldier Field with an easy 4-0 win.
The U.S. went into the half up three goals – their largest advantage since the Cuba match in last year’s Gold Cup.
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The difference was the greater sharpness in the final third from the USA, scoring three goals from its five shots on target, helped by some less than proficient goalkeeping.
