ARLINGTON, Texas – Clint Dempsey set up the go-ahead goal, then scored on a free kick to match Landon Donovan’s national record with his 57th international goal and lead the United States over Costa Rica 2-0 Saturday night in a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal.
The U.S. team will face either Mexico or Jamaica in the Gold Cup final Wednesday in Santa Clara, Calif.
Dempsey, a standout for the Sounders in Major League Soccer, was playing in his home state of Texas. He entered the match in the 66th minute and made a perfectly timed through pass six minutes later that allowed Jozy Altidore to break in alone and beat goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton with a left-footed shot from 10 yards.