USA Soccer Routs Costa Rica

Clint Dempsey scored his 50th international goal early to help the United States to a much-needed 4-0 victory over Costa Rica in its second match of the Copa America Centenario on Tuesday night at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Dempsey also assisted Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood on goals before halftime. Graham Zusi added a late goal for the United States, which moved ahead of Costa Rica in the Group A standings.

The USA (1-1-0, three points) plays Paraguay in its last match Saturday in Philadelphia, while Costa Rica (0-1-1, one point) faces Colombia in Houston. The top two teams from the round robin advance to the tournament quarterfinals.

A loss to Costa Rica would have eliminated the United States. Now, with a win Saturday, the U.S. team would advance. Even a tie would be enough for the United States to make the quarterfinals unless Costa Rica blows out Colombia.

After the USA took a tough 2-0 loss to Colombia to open the tournament, Dempsey got the team off to a good start nine minutes into Tuesday’s contest.

After Wood earned a penalty kick by absorbing a push in the back from Cristian Gamboa, Dempsey drove his finish past goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton, who guessed the wrong way.

In the 37th minute, Dempsey’s long run through the midfield set up Jones, who struck his low effort from the edge of the penalty area just inside the right post.

Five minutes later, Dempsey found Wood, who turned and fired a snap shot low inside the left post from a similar distance.

Zusi came on as a substitute for Wood in the 70th minute and scored in the 87th.