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USA vs Costa Rica 2016 Copa America: Final Score 4-0 as Yanks Roll Ticos

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8 years ago

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The U.S. Men's National Team knew a loss to Costa Rica would send the team crashing out of Copa America Centenario, and made sure that was not going to happen. The crowd of 39,642 saw the U.S. storm out to a 3-0 lead in the first half and never look back, taking down the Ticos, 4-0.

While the U.S. looked great in the first half, the hosts were put on their heels early as Costa Rica came out guns blazing at Soldier Field in Chicago, dominating possession and forcing numerous U.S. turnovers.

The Yanks weathered the early storm however and before the game was 10 minutes old, the Yanks were up 1-0. Going up to meet a cross from DeAndre Yedlin, Bobby Wood rose up and was pushed over by Cristian Gamboa in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Clint Dempsey stepped up and buried the PK to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead after nine minutes.

The goal was Dempsey's 50th all-time for the U.S. Coincidentally, the Texan scored his first goal at Soldier Field as well, all the way back in 2005.

This was Dempsey's night. Dropping further into the midfield to retrieve the ball, the Seattle Sounders star man found plenty of space to drive forward with the ball before laying it off to his teammates. Gyasi Zardes and Jermaine Jones could have had a goal each via Dempsey's distribution in the 33rd and 36th minutes, respectively, but both men fired over the crossbar.

But in the 37th minute, the U.S. doubled their lead through Jones. Again it was Dempsey involved, laying the ball off at the top of the 18 for Jones, who took the shot first time, curling his effort low and to the back post and into the net.

Up two, the Yanks refused to take their foot off the gas. Just five minutes later, Dempsey played a ball into the feet of Wood at the top of the 18 before the Hawaiian turned and fired low into the left corner sending the Soldier Field crowd into a frenzy.

The Yanks failed to create many chances in the second half, but made their one real opportunity count. In the 87th minute, a turnover deep in Costa Rican territory led to an odd-man rush for the U.S. Second half sub Graham Zusi collected the ball and neatly slotted home from just inside the 18 to complete the rout.

The United States improved to 14-14-6 all-time against the Ticos. The win was the largest margin of victory over Costa Rica the USMNT has ever had, and moves the U.S. on to three points in Group A heading into the final group stage match against Paraguay on Saturday.

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