US bounces back with 4-0 victory over Costa Rica
Paraguay tied Costa Rica 0-0 and lost 2-1 to Colombia.
Colombia, ranked No. 3 in the world, defeated Paraguay 2-1 on Tuesday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
With the victory over the Ticos, the United States has sole possession of second place in Group A, but faces a huge challenge in its quest to advance to the knockout stage when it faces Paraguay on Saturday. He buried a shot with his left foot inside the far post for his second Copa America goal in as many games.
Dempsey opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood also struck before half-time to effectively settle the contest.
Substitute Graham Zusi added a fourth goal three minutes from time, which could prove crucial if goal difference comes into play.
If Costa Rica and Colombia draw, the USMNT advances to the quarterfinals, finishing second in Group A. Although a draw theoretically could still see the USA eliminated on Saturday, that scenario would require Costa Rica to record a six-goal win over group front-runner Colombia.
However, Paraguay knows that they have a shot to advance as well, meaning the Americans can not take this upcoming match lightly.
The second goal came 18 minutes later when Edwin Cardona managed to knock the ball into the path of Rodriguez, who fired past Villar with a first-time effort, notching his 16th worldwide goal.
Colombia 2, Paraguay 1 • James Rodriguez scored a goal and set up another in the first 30 minutes, and Colombia clinched a berth in the Copa America quarterfinals with a victory in Pasadena, Calif.
The “team understands perfectly how the situation looks, that we have to get things done”, coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. Obviously, the crowd will be squarely on the Americans’ side which will provide a nice home-field advantage.
The U.S., No. 31 in the latest Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings, relied on a strong defense and counterattack that decimated the 23rd-ranked Ticas with three first-half goals in front of an announced crowd of 39,642 at the 61,500-capacity Soldier Field. I think it was one of those rare games. “We’re lucky he recuperated quite well”, Pekerman said.
During the second half, United States got the possession of the ball, playing horizontally the USA did not found any spaces on the Colombian defense, who were superb during the whole game only letting the US shot from outside the box without any danger.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday night and can be viewed on Fox Sports 2 and Univision.
On the other hand, the United States of America had a confidence boost by beating Costa Rica 4-0 after a disappointing performance against Colombia in their first game of the tournament.
The Americans take on Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday. “Once the second went in and the third we got into a bit of a rhythm”. And that’s exactly what the USA needed against Colombia.