USMNT Advances In Copa America Centenario

The U.S. Men’s National Team scored early through Clint Dempsey and held on late after DeAndre Yedlin was sent off to defeat Paraguay 1-0 in front of a raucous crowd of 51,041 at Lincoln Financial Field. Following Costa Rica’s 3-2 win against Colombia, the U.S. also clinched first place in the group and will return to action against a to-be-determined Group B team on Thursday, June 16 in Seattle for a Quarterfinal match-up.

After John Brooks made a brilliant defensive play in the opening stanza to deny Paraguay a clear cut shot at goal, the USA settled into the match and began to take control. Near the half-hour mark, Gyasi Zardes fed Dempsey for what proved to be the game winner.

In the second half the U.S. team pulled together to record its second consecutive clean sheet in tournament play after Yedlin was ejected two minutes after the break for two bookable offenses in less than two minutes. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was outstanding making seven saves as the U.S. extended its shutout streak in the tournament to five halves.  Brooks, who controlled the middle of the U.S. back line, was named the Man Of The Match.

The USA (2-1-0, 6pts) lost 2-0 to Colombia in the opening group game, then rebounded with a 4-0 shutout of Costa Rica. That set up the deciding game with Paraguay. A loss would have knocked the U.S. team out of the tournament

Thursday’s game will be broadcast live on FS1, UniMas and UDN.