United States defeats Costa Rica in must-win match

The United States Men's National Team needed a win over Costa Rica in its Group A match in order to remain alive in the Copa America Centenario and a win is exactly what Jurgen Klinsmann's side earned on Tuesday night.

Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones, and Bobby Wood each found the back of the net in the first half and Graham Zusi wrapped it all up late in the match to help the U.S. to all three points in a 4-0 win in front of an announced 39,642 supporters at Soldier Field.

Dempsey scored his 50th international goal early in the first 45 minutes via a penalty, awarded when Wood was pushed down from behind in the box. The Seattle Sounders man stepped up and slotted home the penalty, cool as you like, to open the scoring.

Jones added a second after some tenacious high pressure, chasing down the ball and recovering it high up the field before slipping a pass over to Dempsey.

The Texas-born U.S. striker took a few touches, then found Jones again out wide on the left and the Colorado Rapids man struck a low, driven shot past Costa Rican goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton.

Wood added a third with a smart touch that allowed him to turn in the box and fire home at the stroke of half time. Sporting Kansas City winger Zusi finished things off with a late goal of his own.

While Tuesday's objective was accomplished, the larger mission remains active; the U.S. still needs a result against Paraguay on Saturday night in the final group-stage match of Group A.