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The United States improved to a country-record eight straight wins with a 1-0 defeat of Costa Rica in the final match of Group C in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday night. The win delivered Group C to the USA which will play El Salvador on July 21 in the quarterfinal round.
LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan had a hand in the game-winning goal. Donovan played a beautiful lofted ball to late substitute Brek Shea after receiving a pass from another substitute, Joe Corona. Shea had a breakaway on net after Donovan's pass and didn't disappoint with his finish for the goal. Donovan also had a rushed shot attempt from inside the penalty area, two offside calls, two fouls committed and one foul drawn for a Match Impact Rating of 39. Donovan has gotten at least one point in each Gold Cup match so far. The slow night on the pitch worked out for midfielder Stuart Holden who edged Donovan in MIR at 39.5. Holden didn't take any shots and committed two fouls but also drew four fouls (two in the attacking half, two in the midfield zone).
Defender and captain DaMarcus Beasley took one shot and drew two fouls for a decent defensive player MIR of 20. Beasley's contribution was better than that of forward Chris Wondolowski who only posted a 11.4 MIR. Wondo was called offside once, committed two fouls and took four shots with only one on target in 77 minutes. Shea and Corona did not play enough minutes to generate a Match Impact Rating.
However, Shea's goal was his first international tally and Corona is on a three-match point streak. Backup goalkeeper Sean Johnson also picked up a clean sheet during the match which was the first for the U.S. in its three matches in the tournament.