The United States Men's National Team punched its ticket to the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Clint Dempsey scored the 27th-minute game-winner, goalkeeper Brad Guzan made six decisive saves and Sporting Kansas City winger Graham Zusi played 15 minutes as a second-half substitute, ensuring Jurgen Klinsmann's side progression out of Group A alongside Colombia.
Coupled with Colombia's 3-2 defeat to Costa Rica on Saturday, the U.S. finishes atop Group A and will face either Brazil, Ecuador or Peru in the quarterfinals, depending on the final positions of the Group B qualifiers. The match will kick off at 8:30 p.m. CT Thursday at CenturyLink Field with live broadcasts on FS1, UniMas and UDN.
COPA AMERICA GROUP A FINAL STANDINGS
Team |
Points |
W-L-T |
GF / GA |
1. United States |
6 |
2-1-0 |
5 / 2 |
2. Colombia |
6 |
2-1-0 |
6 / 4 |
3. Costa Rica |
4 |
1-1-1 |
3 / 6 |
4. Paraguay |
1 |
0-2-1 |
1 / 3 |
Zusi made his third consecutive appearance in the tournament after coming on in the 75th minute with the Yanks up a goal but down a man. By earning his 38th cap, Zusi tied Josh Wolff as the most capped player for Kansas City while playing with their national team. Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler was an unused substitute.
The Americans grabbed a first-half lead when Gyasi Zardes' low cross into the box was met by Dempsey, who poked home to notch his second goal in as many games. The opening strike came after defender John Brooks made a crucial block on Miguel Almiron's just 11 minutes into the contest.
Paraguay nearly found an equalizer on the stroke of halftime, but Guzan thwarted Dario Lezcano's near-post effort. The U.S. would remain on the back foot for most of the second stanza after DeAndre Yedlin picked up two yellow cards in the space of a minute. Down a man for the final 42 minutes, the Yanks came close to doubling their lead when Bobby Wood played Zardes through on goal, but the LA Galaxy forward was unable to pull the trigger cleanly.
Guzan produced a heroic double-save from point-blank range in the 82nd minute, denying Jorge Benitez and Miguel Almiron to preserve the precious win in front of 51,041 fans at Lincoln Financial Field.
Click here for the full Copa America Centenario schedule.
