US reach Gold Cup final as Dempsey stars
Former Fulham man scores one, sets one up in 2-0 win over Costa Rica
Old but goal: 34-year-old Dempsey proved his class once again as he turned the game on its head after coming on in the 66th minute. PHOTO: AFP
LOS ANGELES:
Clint Dempsey's milestone goal sealed the United States' 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on Saturday in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Dallas, Texas.
Tenacious Costa Rica stymied the five-time champion United States until Jozy Altidore broke through in the 72nd minute, capitalising on some good work from Dempsey.
Dempsey came on for Paul Arriola in the 66th minute and soon made his presence felt, working his way through the defence and threading a pass to Altidore, who beat Costa Rican keeper Patrick Pemberton with a left-footed shot.
Ten minutes later, 34-year-old Dempsey curled a perfectly struck free kick under the wall and past Pemberton inside the near post for his 57th international goal, tying Landon Donovan's mark for most in the history of the US men's team.
Dempsey matched the record in his 136th appearance for the senior team — 17 games faster than it took Donovan to score his 57 international goals.
His first goal for the United States came in 2005 when the former Fulham player scored in a friendly defeat to England. He has scored in three World Cups and five Gold Cups.
"We were pretty close to getting it right in the first half," said US coach Bruce Arena. "I think as the game wore on and our opponent got tired, the goals came."
The US avenged their humbling 4-0 loss to Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier in November — the final match before Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked as coach.
With Arena back at the helm, the USA are unbeaten in 12 matches and now have a shot at a sixth Gold Cup title and their first since 2013.
They failed to make the final in 2015, when Mexico won their seventh crown.
Clint Dempsey's milestone goal sealed the United States' 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on Saturday in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Dallas, Texas.
Tenacious Costa Rica stymied the five-time champion United States until Jozy Altidore broke through in the 72nd minute, capitalising on some good work from Dempsey.
Dempsey came on for Paul Arriola in the 66th minute and soon made his presence felt, working his way through the defence and threading a pass to Altidore, who beat Costa Rican keeper Patrick Pemberton with a left-footed shot.
Ten minutes later, 34-year-old Dempsey curled a perfectly struck free kick under the wall and past Pemberton inside the near post for his 57th international goal, tying Landon Donovan's mark for most in the history of the US men's team.
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Dempsey matched the record in his 136th appearance for the senior team — 17 games faster than it took Donovan to score his 57 international goals.
His first goal for the United States came in 2005 when the former Fulham player scored in a friendly defeat to England. He has scored in three World Cups and five Gold Cups.
"We were pretty close to getting it right in the first half," said US coach Bruce Arena. "I think as the game wore on and our opponent got tired, the goals came."
The US avenged their humbling 4-0 loss to Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier in November — the final match before Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked as coach.
With Arena back at the helm, the USA are unbeaten in 12 matches and now have a shot at a sixth Gold Cup title and their first since 2013.
They failed to make the final in 2015, when Mexico won their seventh crown.