The unrecognizable U.S. Men’s National Team that beat Costa Rica 4-0 on Tuesday night took everyone by surprise. The U.S. was 13-5-4 all time v. Costa Rica at home going into the game, however, the largest home win for the U.S. over the Ticos was 3-0 in June 2005 in a World Cup Qualifier. How does a team that couldn’t get out of their own way against Colombia in the opening group stage match, come back and look so dominant the next game? Let’s take a stab at it:

Unrecognizable U.S. Men’s National Team Defeats Costa Rica

Consistent Lineup

Jurgen Klinsmann started the same lineup in back-to-back games since the USMNT played Nigeria in a friendly and Ghana in the first group stage game in the World Cup on June 7, 2014 and June 16, 2014. It is no news that the most consistent thing about Klinsmann’s tenure as USMNT coach has been his constant line-up changes from game to game. Deandre Yedlin has gone from left back, to left midfielder, back to left back. Geoff Cameron has played defensive midfielder, center back, and left back. Michael Bradley has played in every midfield position. Players like Kyle Beckerman, Matt Besler and Michael Orozco have all received starts over the past year, along with plenty of others who aren’t even on the Copa America roster. The consistent lineup seemed to provide camaraderie on the field that the team has lacked at times. There was Bobby Wood sticking up for Jermaine Jones, improved play between Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones and Wood, and a stout defensive effort that led to Brad Guzan only needing to record one save in the game. Not to mention, Clint Dempsey’s ability to create for his teammates, which led to two assists and his 50th national team goal.

Take advantage of opportunities

Many fans may have been too busy high-fiving each other after each U.S. goal or yelling proudly at your closest TV every moment a U.S. player stepped up and made a play last night, but the USMNT actually lost the possession battle to Costa Rica, 59% to 41%. The U.S. isn’t normally a ball possession team, so this stat may not be surprising to many, until seeing the score line. Very much like Colombia did to the U.S. in the first group stage game, the U.S. took advantage of the opportunities presented to them. Bobby Wood drawing a penalty call in the box, Jermaine Jones using Dempsey’s ability to attract traffic to score the second goal, and Wood finding a small window between four defenders and nailing the shot perfectly into the right side of the net.

A little luck

Every good team needs a little luck, or things to break their way. The U.S. had everything fall in place for them against Costa Rica. Wood drawing a penalty off a set piece that eventually led to Clint Dempsey’s historic national team goal is a call that could have easily not been made or missed by the referees. Jones’ goal could have easily not occurred had Jones not been in position to recover Dempsey’s “lost” ball that was credited as an assist. Costa Rica losing their starting striker, Marco Ureña, early in the game to injury and having a 3-0 lead which neutralized a dangerous Joel Campbell, who was subbed off at halftime. Don’t get me wrong, the U.S. created the chances that made things fall their way, but adding all these breaks, led to the domination we saw on Tuesday night against a formidable regional foe.

The U.S. has had positive results against Costa Rica in the past and this was a game they should have won and won big, however, let’s not forget that Costa Rica beat the USMNT in a friendly last October 13, 2015 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. Nothing was a given going into last night’s game, making the result that much more surprising. When the USMNT defeated Costa Rica 3-0 on June 4, 2005 in what became, at the time, the largest win by U.S. over the Ticos, a young Clint Dempsey entered the game in the 86th minute. On June 7, 2016, Clint Dempsey scored his 50th national team goal in the biggest win at home over Costa Rica in U.S. Soccer history.

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