USA striker Clint Dempsey (L) scores the team's opening goal against Costa Rica's Patrick Pemberton. (Photo : Getty Images)
Host team United States (1-1-0, 3 points) will look to advance in the knockout stages of the 2016 Copa América Centenario as they face FIFA's 44th-ranked Paraguay (0-1-1, 1 point) on Saturday, June 11 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Team USA, currently ranked 31st in the world, had successfully bounced back from their opening day Group A debacle against Colombia by thrashing CONCACAF rivals Costa Rica, 4-0, at the Soldier Field in Chicago on Tuesday, ESPN reported.
Four different players in head coach Jürgen Klinsmann's side scored in the contest, namely Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood, and Graham Zusi at the ninth, 37th, 42nd, and 87th minutes respectively, to complete the four-goal haul and Los Ticos was unable to answer with anything.
The win somehow eased the pressure off under-fire coach Klinsmann, who said before the tournament that the Unites States are aiming to finish at least in the semifinals of this summer's Copa.
The 51-year-old German even received criticism from U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati, as the executive said that the Americans "haven't been what we would have hoped for, especially in the official competitions."
It was essentially a do-or-die match for USMNT as another loss would take away their chances of qualifying to the quarterfinals. The win pushed them to the second spot of the group table, three points behind undefeated leaders Colombia, who are now assured of a spot in the knockouts.
Meanwhile, was turned back by Colombia, 1-2, in Group A's other match on Tuesday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, as per Goal.
Midfielder Victor Ayala netted the consolation goal for Ramón Díaz's squad at the 71st after two first half goals gave the Colombians an early 2-0 lead.
Los Guaraníes are the lowest ranked team in the group, but they still have a chance to advance in the next round if they win this match over the Americans and Costa Rica concurrently loses to Colombia.
The predicted result is a 2-0 win for the United States.
United States starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, Johnson; Bedoya, Bradley, Jones; Zardes, Dempsey, Wood
Paraguay starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Villar; Valdez, Gomez, Da Silva, Samudio; Piris, Ortiz; Ayala, Almiron, Benitez; Lezcano
