Oh-ho-ho. How the fortunes have turned for a little known national team called the United States of America. After the first game of the host country's group play, things were looking pretty dire. A 2-0 loss to Colombia seemed like an early nail in the coffin for the Red, White, and Blue with two difficult teams the likes of Paraguay and 2014 World Cup quarterfinalists Costa Rica ahead. But a surprising 4-0 drubbing of Costa Rica on Tuesday and another win against Paraguay last night—in combination with Costa Rica's shocking win over Colombia—proved a magical series of circumstances to put the US on top of their group.Gyasi Zardes --> Clint Dempsey --> GOAL, #USMNT. #USAvPAR #MyCopaColors https://t.co/aumNF2kGgS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2016
The US ground out the win with only 10 men—but only thanks to an extremely impressive (and rare) defensive showcase—particularly from John Brooks. While his center back partner and Stoke City man Geoff Cameron had a solid night with six clearances, three pass picks, and a tackle, it was the Hertha Berlin center back who held down a spectacular series of play to keep the US afloat.Another look at the two fouls that led to DeAndre Yedlin's red card. #USAvPAR #MyCopaColors https://t.co/Ub9OxxNQS7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 12, 2016
You could almost call that 3 vs 1 tackle—after a series of defensive mishaps caught the US outnumbered (where was Cameron on this play?)—the equivalent of a goal. It basically saved them one—and the momentum of the game. (And based on how John Brooks bafflingly reacts to scoring goals, his celebration afterward makes it seem like he recognized just how skillful it was.)Brooks later picked up Man of the Match—and deservedly so. (#JayB indeed.).@j_brooks25 with a tackle-and-a-half to thwart a Paraguay counterattack. #USAvPAR #MyCopaColors https://t.co/9NjwlecZNA
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2016
But the US would be remiss to owe their group-topping success solely to their skill against Paraguay. Fate gave them a downhill wind that put Costa Rica up ahead in a thrilling match against clear favorites (and No 3 team, per FIFA rankings), Colombia.The first of Costa Rica's goals sent a message early to Colombia—in the 2'—that they were not to be messed with. Johan Venegas found himself with very little space off his defender, which he used for a tight pivot to send the ball curling into the side netting from well outside the 18-yard box. Maybe the goal of Copa America so far (ok, fine there's that Messi guy too).Quarterfinals. #wallofbrooks #JayB pic.twitter.com/8i1zxEhnYo
— John Anthony Brooks (@j_brooks25) June 12, 2016
Colombia came back with a goal off of some pretty sloppy defending from Costa Rica, which saw Frank Fabra dribbling through several players, and getting a tight little give-and-go only five minutes after Costa Rica's goal.But the real swing of momentum, perhaps, came as Fabra scored again—this time an own goal on the other end of the field. He was tracking his man, when a Costa Rican cross landed plainly at his feet, which he clumsily fumbled into the goal.Johan Venegas gave Costa Rica a brief, 1-0 lead with this stunner… #COLvCRC #MyCopaColors https://t.co/FAeUkpIF0L
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 12, 2016
Celso Borges claimed yet another goal for Costa Rica—this time, actually scored by a Costa Rican player. A beautiful cross with a well-timed one-time strike:Look away, Colombia fans. Frank Fabra's own goal gets Costa Rica back in front. #COLvCRC #MyCopaColors https://t.co/vLFPm3X0pi
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 12, 2016
Colombia came back with another goal in the 73', but ultimately, it proved futile, as Costa Rica's special blend of luck and spices kept the Cafeteros at bay.For the uninitiated, a win chalks up three points in group play, a tie (like that between Paraguay and Costa Rica last week) earns one point, and goal differential counts in a tie, so the US's 4-0 victory over Costa Rica on Tuesday was the lynch pin in their claim to the top spot in the group—over a very strong Colombian side.Group A, final:Group B, pre-third games:Celso Borges gives Costa Rica a 2-goal cushion. If they hold on, #USMNT win Group A. #COLvCRC #MyCopaColors https://t.co/5thknYoJQ5
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 12, 2016