ASN: Clint Dempsey Involves the Rescue, Lifts U.S. to 2-0 Win

Bruce Area’s Beginning XI could not get the offense going however the whole lot began clicking for the Yanks when Dempsey got here on in its place after the one-hour mark. The win sends the U.S. to the Gold Cup remaining.

BY

John Godfrey

Posted
July 22, 2017
4:00 PM

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EIGHTEEN SECONDS into Saturday’s Gold Cup semifinal in opposition to Costa Rica, U.S. nationwide staff ahead Jordan Morris acquired on the tip of a Jozy Altidore go and blasted a shot previous goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton. Sadly for the Seattle Sounders striker, the shot caromed off the close to put up and away from hazard.

Regardless of this promising early outburst, the Yanks struggled to unravel a stingy Ticos staff that was content material sit again and play a counterattacking type. Actually, the Yanks couldn’t handle a single shot on aim till the 65-minute mark.

However then Clint Dempsey modified the course of the sport. He got here off the bench to spark the offense, incomes an help on Altidore’s strike within the 72nd minute after which scoring off a spot kick 10 minutes later to seal the victory.

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 23, 2017

The U.S. will now play within the Gold Cup remaining Wednesday evening, squaring off in opposition to the winner of tomorrow’s Jamaica-Mexico contest. 

The Yanks seemed good early on—assured, organized, and aggressive—however an absence of inventiveness made it simple for Costa Rica to sit down again and stymie the U.S. assault. The Individuals’ huge play was missing, forcing Darlington Nagbe to generate many of the offense by way of the middle of the pitch. 

The U.S. practically opened the scoring on the 15-minute mark when Costa Rica turned the ball over in its personal half and Paul Arriola crossed to Morris on the prime of the penalty space. Morris put Altidore in behind his defender however the Toronto FC man opted to not shoot and as an alternative tried a low-percentage go to Kellyn Acosta, who lifted the ball over the web.

There have been a number of sequences like that: good possession however an absence of inventiveness and/or high quality near aim.

Costa Rica, in the meantime, didn’t see a lot of the ball within the first half.

However the guests did register the primary shot on aim on the 37-minute mark when Bryan Ruiz danced previous defenders and reduce by way of the middle of the pitch. He discovered Marcos Urena within the U.S. penalty space and the striker focused the far put up with a right-footed shot.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, who had little to do till that time, caught his leg out to dam the shot and stored the sport scoreless. It was an enormous save from a big-time participant. 

At halftime, the U.S. had the higher of the play however lacked that remaining little bit of high quality essential to take the lead. 

Seven minutes into the second half the Yanks practically took benefit of a serious goalkeeping gaffe. After Omar Gonzalez pushed down the best wing and located Morris within the field, Pemberton charged out of the goalmouth and tried to interrupt up the play. Morris dribbled huge, nonetheless, and left the Costa Rican keeper in no man’s land. As Pemberton scrambled again to aim, Graham Zusi positioned a cross into the field that soared simply over Altidore’s head and proceeded to bounce by way of Darlington Nagbe’s legs.

The Individuals got here shut, once more, however weren’t ok. Actually, they managed their first official shot on aim within the sixty fifth minute when Altidore let unfastened with a long-range (and really optimistic) blast that Pemberton saved simply.

Clearly, this U.S. Beginning XI was not going to unravel Costa Rica’s protection.

So Bruce Area made a change, taking Paul Arriola off and changing him with 34-year-old Clint Dempsey. The sport opened up for each groups.

Within the 68th minute Dempsey pushed ahead and made a intelligent go on the prime of the Costa Rican penalty space that gave Acosta a half-chance on aim. The FC Dallas midfielder unleashed a powerful blast however Pemberton parried it away.

Urena practically put the Ticos forward three minutes later when he fought off Omar Gonzalez and tried to sneak a shot previous Howard on the far put up solely to have the Colorado Rapids backstop make an important leg save.

Earlier than anyone may catch their breath, Dempsey’s creativity produced one other likelihood. The veteran labored his method by way of the middle of the Costa Rican protection after which feathered a stunning go that despatched Altidore in alone on the left flank. Pemberton rushed out to quash the prospect however Altidore cooly lifted the ball previous the sliding goalkeeper to offer the U.S. a 1-0 lead. 

The guests stepped up their efforts to even the competition however Dempsey put the sport away within the 82nd minute when he curled a 25-yard free kick across the Costa Rica wall and contained in the close to put up. It was Dempsey’s 57th strike for the nationwide staff, tying him for the all-time file with Landon Donovan.

For the primary time because the pleasant in opposition to Ghana the U.S. placed on a whole efficiency, controlling the tempo of the sport and enjoying with cohesiveness regardless of an absence of high quality near aim. 

Subsequent up: Both Jamaica or Mexico at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

What did you consider the match? Really feel like this U.S. facet is primed to raise the Gold Cup? Share your take beneath.