Commerce City, CO

Clint Dempsey scored the game's lone goal as the US men's national team overcame blizzard-like conditions to edge Costa Rica, 1-0, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, earning crucial three points during the second matchday of the World Cup qualifying Hexagonal stage.

Dempsey tapped in a deflected shot in the 16th minute for his 12th career goal in World Cup qualifying, tying him with Landon Donovan for the most qualifying goals in U.S. Soccer history. Dempsey has seven goals in the 2014 World Cup qualifying cycle.

"It was almost unplayable but the good thing was that we were able to get the game out of the way," Dempsey said. "By scoring the goal early put us in a good position and made them have to chase the game a little bit more."

The Americans entered the game as the only team remaining without a point in matchday one but will carry the momentum of their victory in much-anticipated road match against Mexico Tuesday.

Dempsey was named captain for this month's two qualifiers after coach Jurgen Klinsmann decided to leave Carlos Bocanegra off the roster, and he was certainly a leader for the injury-depleted squad.

"He's proud to have the captain armband and he was obviously thrilled to score that goal right away and he's leading by example," Klinsmann said. "For a player with 93 caps, it's about time he's become a captain too."

The Tottenham forward started alongside Jozy Altidore up front and the pair worked together to create the Americans' only goal of the night.

Altidore's shot from the top of the box deflected off Costa Rican defender Roy Miller and Dempsey was in the right place at the right time to push it past the goal line.

The Americans came very close to adding one more before halftime as Dempsey received the ball in the box on two occasions. He appeared to be taken down by Miller but the referee decided not to blow the whistle.

With the weather getting worse throughout the match, the referee nearly made a decision to halt the game after stopping play in the 55th minute to speak with coaches and players.

The lines on the field were barely visible despite the ground crew working to shovel the pitch throughout the match.

After a short break, Costa Rica appeared to have tied things up after Alvaro Saborio beat goalkeeper Brad Guzan, but the play was called offside.

 

Highlights of the U.S. Men's National Team's 1-0 win against Costa Rica in blizzard-like conditions at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. Clint Dempsey got the only goal of the game for the USA as Jurgen Klinsmann's team earned its first win of the Hexagonal

Dempsey Scores Lone Goal as US Downs Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifying