USA advance to Gold Cup final
Clint Dempsey equals Landon Donovan's USA goals record (57)
Stars and Stripes will meet winner of Mexico-Jamaica
USA advanced to the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 final after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Costa Rica at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Jozy Altidore scored his 38th international goal for USA in the 72nd minute from a Clint Dempsey assist with a dinked shot over Costa Rica goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton. Dempsey went from provider to goalscorer in the 82nd minute with a clever, curling free-kick that found its way around the Costa Rican wall and into the net to see him equal Landon Donovan's all-time goalscoring record (57) for the Stars and Stripes.
The match burst into life from the very start as Jordan Morris rocketed a shot off the post within the first 15 seconds. Texas native Kellyn Acosta had a chance 15 minutes in when he got into a good position for Jozy Altidore to find him with a precise cut-back pass, but he fired his shot well over the crossbar.
Costa Rica's best chance of the first half came in the 37th minute when captain Bryan Ruiz slotted in a pass for Marcos Urena, who shot on target only to see USA goalkeeper Tim Howard save his shot with his right boot.
Acosta came close again to opening the scoring about midway through the second half, but his well-struck shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved well by Pemberton. It was then Howard's turn at the other end to come up with another big save, denying Urena.
Jozy Altidore broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute when substitute Dempsey played him in on goal with a precise through pass and the Toronto FC forward made no mistake, chipping Pemberton with his left foot.
Dempsey then gave Bruce Arena's side some insurance when he converted a free-kick from 20 yards out and tied the onlooking Donovan's record for most goals in USA history.
The stat 8 - USA have now gone eight matches unbeaten against Costa Rica in Gold Cup history. Before the match, the Stars and Stripes had six wins and one draw in their head-to-head history with Los Ticos.
Coming up Semi-final Sunday 23 July (Rose Bowl, Pasadena) Mexico-Jamaica
Final Wednesday, 26 July (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara)