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Copa America: Graham Zusi puts USMNT up 4-0 over Costa Rica (Video)

By Phil Naegely

May 25, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; U.S. mens national team midfielder Graham Zusi (19) goes after the ball in the first half against Ecuador at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; U.S. mens national team midfielder Graham Zusi (19) goes after the ball in the first half against Ecuador at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports /
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The USMNT took care of business on Tuesday against Costa Rica as Graham Zusi extended their lead to 4-0.

After a disappointing loss to Colombia in their first Copa America match, the USMNT rose to the challenge in a must-win match against Costa Rica. The USMNT went up 3-0 before the half and controlled the game for most of the second half. Substitute Graham Zusi added a fourth goal to the host’s lead with a nice strike just inside the box.

Zusi took the ball away from his Costa Rican opponent and found space near the box. The forward’s speed helped him stay open as he dribbled near the box and fired the ball past the goalie and into the back of the net.

The USMNT’s chances of moving onto the knockout round of Copa America are much better after their big win over Costa Rica. Now they need to come back rested and reproduce their match against the CONCACAF rival as they face Paraguay in their final Group A match.

It will be a meaningful match in Philadelphia, which wouldn’t be the case if they had come out flat against Costa Rica and fallen. Jurgen Klinsmann may have waited too long to use his three substitutes, but Zusi stepped up in the limited time played on Tuesday.

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Klinsmann side leap from last to first with the 4-0 win against Costa Rica ahead of Colombia’s match against Paraguay. The win brings their goal differential to +2 and that is key as goal differential and then goals scored are two tiebreakers used when deciding the top two teams in a group when there is a tie.

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