Photo by Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
It wasn’t the most attractive performance by any means, but the U.S. Men’s National Team will extend their Copa America stay at least one more match.
The 10-man USMNT defeated Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field courtesy of Clint Dempsey’s first-half winner.
It took almost half an hour to find the back of the net, but Dempsey put the U.S. on the board in the 27th minute after a flurry of opportunities to open the match. Gyasi Zardes played in a low cross from the left end line and picked out Dempsey, who calmly finished from close range.
While Paraguay found much of the game’s possession, the U.S. utilized the counterattack to perfection throughout the evening.
The U.S. backline continued to serve as a strength for most of the evening, but Jurgen Klinsmann’s team suffered a massive blow in the early moments of the second half.
Right back DeAndre Yedlin was sent off in the 48th minute after picking up two yellow cards in a span of two minutes. Michael Orozco came in to replace the 22-year-old defender, while Dempsey was sacrificed up front in the U.S. attack.
Even down a man and facing wave after wave of Paraguay attacks, Brad Guzan and John Brooks stepped up to save the USMNT. The U.S. goalkeeper made several key saves, including a double save late in the match, while Brooks starred with a series of goal-saving tackles.
With the win, the USMNT advances to the quarterfinals and will await results from several other matches to determine their opponent, while Paraguay is eliminated from the tournament.
