Three different players scored in the first half to help pace the United States to a critical 4-0 win against Costa Rica in a Copa America Centenario group stage match at Chicago’s Soldier Field Tuesday night.
The United States, which opened the tournament with a 2-0 loss to Colombia on Friday night in Santa Clara, needed a positive result to remain alive in the competition and got a comprehensive victory in both teams' penultimate match of Group A.
Veteran Seattle Sounders midfielder Clint Dempsey opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute for his 50th international goal after Bobby Wood was pushed down in the box by Cristian Gamboa.
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Dempsey turned provider on a quick counter in the 37th minute, running at a pair of defenders before cutting the ball back twice and finding Jermaine Jones on the left. The Colorado Rapids midfielder, who dispossessed the Ticos to start the play, deposited a low shot inside the far post from the edge of the 18-yard box for the second goal.
Five minutes later, Wood received the ball with his back to goal, turned and fired a shot across his body to give the United States a commanding 3-0 halftime advantage.
Second-half substitute Graham Zusi of Sporting Kansas City put the finishing touches on the victory when he forced a turnover deep in the Ticos defensive third and scored from 16 yards out three minutes from full time.
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NYCFC fullback Ronald Matarrita was a threat from the opening kickoff with bombing runs and quality service from the left flank for Costa Rica, which meets Colombia in its final group stage match Saturday in Houston.
The United States, which temporarily moved atop the group ahead of the match between Colombia and Paraguay later Tuesday, will meet Paraguay in Philadelphia Saturday in its final Group A match.
