Beforehand, U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati lit an extra match under the seat of coach Juergen Klinsmann by telling reporters the federation will evaluate everyone’s standing with the team – including Klinsmann’s – after the Copa.
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Klinsmann stayed with the same starting 11 that dropped a 2-0 decision to Colombia on Friday night in northern California. There have been criticisms about Klinsmann’s lineup choices, and they seemed warranted in the opening minutes of the contest.
Under normal circumstances, Costa Rica would have liked its chances with Navas facing a penalty kick.
But it didn’t take the USMNT long to find its breakthrough.
The hosts took the lead within minutes of the kick-off, when Cristian Gamboa needlessly shoved Wood in the back to concede a penalty.
Dempsey pocketed a low shot into the corner for his 50th career goal, seven behind usa leader Landon Donovan.
“In a tournament like this if you don’t get points in the first game, right away in the second game it’s important to turn around and get a result”, USA midfielder Michael Bradley said.
In fact, Jones created his own goal in the 37th minute. However, the Costa Rican defender got to it first, and deflected it out for a corner. The third goal was added minutes before the half-time and once again it was Dempsey who set it up.
The goal was the fifth for Zusi in global competition. With Jermaine Jones roaming as he does for Colorado and Bobby Wood slipping central whenever Dempsey dropped into a creative space the first half was almost as close to flawless. Dempsey then drove it past Patrick Pemberton on the goaltender’s left side for a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute.
Costa Rica exerted early pressure, but the U.S. were able to get up the field and earn themselves a penalty in the 8 minute.
The US made it 3-0 five minutes later when Dempsey fed Wood at the top of the penalty area, and the striker turned his man before firing a shot inside the near post.
“We’ve got much bigger things to worry about than what goes on on the outside, ” he said.
James overcame a shoulder problem to score the eventual match-winner, and the 24-year-old spoke of the effort he makes to play for the national team.
The wide margin isn’t just for show either.
With the pressure on the program at the highest level of Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure, the Americans rose to the moment with a resounding 4-0 win over Costa Rica at Soldier Field. Then you obviously read the final result and a lot of opinions go different ways then. With its four goals on Tuesday, the US erased the -2 differntial it had following the Colombia loss and replaced with a +2.
The draw against Paraguay did not come without a price. He couldn’t maintain the USA tempo at the base of midfield.
MID – Jermaine Jones (7.5): The star of the night for the U.S. Scored a fine goal, played some great balls forward and just looked full of energy.
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Cy Brown writes about soccer and other stuff for Sports on Earth.
