US bounces back with 4-0 victory over Costa Rica

United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann is not playing down the magnitude of their final Group A match against Paraguay, with a place in the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals at stake.

By halftime, the “Fire Klinsmann” banner hanging in Soldier Field’s lower deck was long gone, either confiscated by authorities or pulled by the artists with a change of heart amid the US national soccer team’s 4-0 romp over Costa Rica.

Costa Rica and Paraguay played a scoreless draw in their Group A opener on Saturday night in Florida.

A goal would put the US ahead for the first time in the tournament and set an early tone in what Jurgen Klinsmann had called a “must-win” game.

The USA came into their group A match against Costa Rica with anything but confidence – a 2-0 loss at home to Colombia wasn’t the way the hosts wanted to kick off such a huge occasion. He’s second for most career US goals behind Landon Donovan, who scored 57. In the end, the USMNT won a must-win game by a score of 4-0 and now sit in second place in the group.

“Costa Rica are a great team, we know that the match against them will be hard with the quality of players they have and the good team they are”.

Victor Ayala scored Paraguay’s first goal of the Copa America in the 71st minute with a stunning, long-range drive past Ospina, who made a handful of saves to keep his country ahead.

We certainly can’t remember it ever happening, not even in Sunday league games. Yet, they refused to rest back on the sword and continued pushing for more in the second.

Paraguay’s task got tougher when Romero was sent off for a second booking in the space of three minutes when he pulled back Rodriguez and Colombia held on for victory. Should Colombia lose, they will still finish first if Paraguay beat the US or those two teams draw.

After a tepid loss in their opening game put them under threat of elimination, the USA needed a riposte against Costa Rica on Tuesday.

Mexico and Colombia are Argentina’s biggest threat for Copa America Centenario glory, according to defender Nicolas Otamendi. If Ecuador has beaten Haiti by at least six goals, then Dunga’s team could need to win the game to finish first. Second-half substitute Graham Zusi completed the scoreline in the 87th minute, dispossessing defender Francisco Calvo on the left and dribbling into the box, before finding the back of the net with his left foot from 13-yards out.

The Lanus midfielder received two yellow cards in as many minutes, with Colombia holding out for victory.

“I think it was, over all, a very pleasant performance”, a satisfied Klinsmann said.