Dempsey leads U.S. to 4-0 win over Costa Rica in Copa America

United States' Clint Dempsey (8) celebrates after kicking a goal against Costa Rica's Patrick Pemberton (18) during a Copa America Centenario group A soccer match at Soldier Field in Chicago, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Jurgen Klinsmann demanded more offensive creativity and better finishing from his United States men's national team in Tuesday's make-or-break game against Costa Rica in the Copa America Centenario.

Clint Dempsey provided both.

The 33-year-old emerged as the catalyst of a devastating U.S. attack, converting a ninth-minute penalty and setting up two more goals by Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood in a tournament-saving 4-0 victory over the rival Ticos at Soldier Field.

The result – the USA's biggest victory ever over Costa Rica – was just another turn in the rollercoaster ride that has become Klinsmann's tenure as USMNT head coach and technical director. A lackluster 2-0 loss to Colombia last Friday heaped more pressure on the German, as the Americans stood to be eliminated just five days into the tournament with a loss to Costa Rica.

"It was important to get off to an early start," said Dempsey, whose goal was the 50th of his USMNT career. "Once we scored that first one, second and third one, we started to get in a rhythm."

Dempsey was the most effective forward in the United States' 4-3-3 formation against the No. 3-ranked Colombians, winning fouls in dangerous spots. So it was no surprise he would be the central figure of the attack again.

What was surprising was the ruthlessness of the USA. After Wood was given a penalty after being pushed in the back by Cristian Gamboa, Dempsey calmly converted from the spot for a 1-0 lead just nine minutes in.

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Clint Dempsey keeps his cool from the spot to open the scoring for the #USMNT. #USAvCRC #MyCopaColors snpy.tv/1Zw8GeJ 5:18 PM - 7 Jun 2016

Dempsey turned creator for the next two U.S. goals, which were scored in just a five-minute span. Running rampant on a counterattack, the Seattle Sounders star took on two defenders and cut the ball back onto his left foot to softly set up an oncoming Jones, whose one-timed shot bounced past goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton inside the far post to give the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 37th minute.

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Cool as you like! Jermaine Jones doubles the #USMNT's lead over Costa Rica. #USAvCRC #MyCopaColors snpy.tv/1TUyehY 5:46 PM - 7 Jun 2016   FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer Bobby Wood spins, turns and fires home to put the #USMNT 3-0 up on Costa Rica. #USAvCRC #MyCopaColors snpy.tv/1TUz0vl 5:51 PM - 7 Jun 2016

Costa Rica had more possession in the first half (57 percent), but the U.S. made the most of its time on the ball, outshooting the visitors 7-2 and converting all three of its attempts on goal. The three-goal deficit was enough for head coach Oscar Ramirez to essentially call it a night, as he substituted star midfielder Joel Campbell and right back Gamboa.

Captain Bryan Ruiz remained on the field and nearly pulled one back for Costa Rica, as his header beat Brad Guzan but hit the post in the 67th minute.

Graham Zusi came on for Wood in the 70th minute and got in on the fun in the 87th minute with a well-taken left-footed strike for the final margin.

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Graham Zusi adds #anotherone! For the first time ever the #USMNT have scored 4 against Costa Rica. #USAvCRC pic.twitter.com/IW7AjaFWpq 6:52 PM - 7 Jun 2016

The Americans conclude group play on Saturday in Philadelphia against Paraguay.

"The job is not done," Dempsey said. "We've got to go into the next game preparing the same way."