The first Copa America on U.S. soil started last week and is in full swing, with the hosts Team USA already logging two matches in group play. It was not easy as their first two matches were against arguably the best two teams in their group, Colombia and Costa Rica.

Of course, the USMT kicked off the Copa America Centenario in Pasadena Calif. taking on Colombia at the Rose Bowl. They host handily, dropping three points after a 2-0 loss to los cafeteros. Star midfielder James Rodriguez scored for the Colombians, with the US struggling to get much going despite playing on their home turf.

Perhaps a change in scenery was in order for Jurgen Klinsmann's men, as they arrived in Chicago over the weekend to play Costa Rica on Tuesday evening. Los Ticos are no slouches either, with Arsenal midfielder Joel Campbell and Real Madrid goal keeper Keylor Navas standing in the way. Costa Rica came level in their opening match, playing Paraguay to a scoreless draw. 

Chicago must have certainly felt like their sort of town as the Americans took a commanding 3-0 lead within the first 40 minutes, eventually winning 4-0 with the Costa Ricans really never posing a threat save for near misses off a couple set pieces.

Seattle Sounders star Clint Dempsey scored his 50th international goal off a penalty in the eighth minute, which was followed by a Jermaine Jones goal struck from outside the box and brilliantly curled in. Bobby Wood, who has been turning in impressive performances for the national team the past couple years, scored a magnificent goal along the edge of the box, spinning and kicking in one motion to fire the ball into the back of the net.

Dempsey came off for Chris Wondolowski in the 78th minute, and Klinsmann proved to be a smart one even though the game was already in hand. Wondolowski stole the ball which led to Graham Zusi streaking down and kicking the ball into the net to make it an emphatic 4-0 win.

Former Sounders star and Seattle native Deandre Yedlin played the full 90 minutes Tuesday night, playing smart defense although his offensive skill wasn't much needed this match.

Paraguay is up next for the US, as they will be switching time zones yet again. Their next match is in Philadelphia, Penn. on Saturday the 11th. They must hope that Costa Rica shows up and is hungry in their final match of group play against Colombia. Paraguay should be no problem for the US judging by their match Tuesday, which should secure them at least the no. 2 seed going into the quarterfinals.

Photo: Flickr/Erik Drost