Sporting Kansas City winger Graham Zusi and the United States Men's National Team claimed an emphatic 4-0 victory over Costa Rica on Tuesday to take destiny back into their own hands in Group A of Copa America Centenario.
Zusi rounded out the scoring in the 87th minute at Soldier Field in Chicago, tallying his fifth U.S. goal in 37 international appearances. His club teammate Matt Besler was an unused substitute in Tuesday's contest between CONCACAF rivals.
In desperate need of three points after a tournament-opening loss to Colombia, the U.S. exploded for a trio of goals in the first half, ultimately delivering Costa Rica its heaviest defeat since January 2014. Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood each found the back of the net before the break, while Zusi added a fourth after coming on in the 70th minute.
Jurgen Klinsmann's side moves into the top two of Group A with its group stage finale on the horizon. The United States and Paraguay will meet at 6 p.m. CT Saturday with a spot in the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals up for grabs. The match will be televised live from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on FS1, Univision and Univision Deportes.
Dempsey bagged his 50th career international goal with a 9th-minute penalty kick after Wood drew a foul in the penalty area. The Seattle Sounders forward then turned provider in the 37th minute, laying the ball off for Jones to slot an excellent strike across goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton and into the far corner. Wood made it 3-0 three minutes from halftime, swiveling on the edge of the box and firing low to the near post.
Zusi's big moment came three minutes from the final whistle. After winning the ball from a Costa Rica defender, Zusi drove to the top of the box and expertly picked out the right corner with his left foot. Tuesday's result saw the Yanks extend their home winning streak over Costa Rica in competitive matches to 16 games since 1989.
