USA striker Clint Dempsey. (Photo : Getty Images)
Copa América Centenario 2016 host team the United States (0-1-0, 0 points) will look for their first win of the tournament's group stage as it clashes with fellow CONCACAF powerhouse Costa Rica (0-0-1, 1 point) at the Soldier Field in Chicago on Tuesday, June 7.
Ranked 31st in the world by FIFA, USMNT dropped their first assignment in the tourney as they were blasted by world no. 3 Colombia, 0-2, at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara last Friday to remain as the only scoreless team in the group.
Milan defender Cristian Zapata and Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez scored the two goals for Los Cafeteros at the eighth and 42nd minutes respectively as the hosts failed to respond with anything.
The New York Daily News noted that Team USA "didn't defend well enough or create enough chances to compete with one of the world's top sides" as head coach Jürgen Klinsmann made crucial mistakes early in the game.
Klinsmann utilized a 4-3-3 formation that made Zapata lose defender Geoff Cameron off a corner kick to slice the ball through Brad Guzan's gloves. Rodriguez's successful penalty kick three minutes before halftime doubled the Colombian's lead, leaving the US "demoralized".
Meanwhile, 23rd-ranked Costa Rica settled to a goalless draw with world no. 44 Paraguay at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando last Saturday, as per Sports Illustrated.
It was not the result that Los Ticos manager Oscar Ramirez was hoping for as they gave rival Team USA the chance to still advance in the knockout stages.
With the draw, Costa Rica and Paraguay shared a point each in the group table, still within striking distance of the scoreless US. Had La Sele won, they would have been tied with Colombia with three points each on top of the Group A standings.
Klinsmann's men could not afford to lose this game against Costa Rica as another defeat would mean virtual elimination from the tournament they are hosting. It would be too early for them and the fans as the competitions are just beginning.
The predicted result is a close 1-0 win for the United States.
United States starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, Johnson; Bedoya, Bradley, Jones; Zardes, Dempsey, Wood
Costa Rica starting lineup (5-4-1 formation): Pemberton; Gamboa, Oviedo, Acosta, Duarte, Matarrita; Campbell, Borges, Tejeda, Ruiz; Ureña
