Consolation prize

U.S. rallies past Costa Rica for third place in Gold Cup

Bobby Convey's first international goal capped a chaotic match that was the first meeting between the U.S. and former coach Steve Sampson. AP

MIAMI (AP) -- Bobby Convey picked a good time to score his first goal as a member of the U.S. national team.

Convey scored in the 66th minute Saturday, putting the United States ahead to stay in its 3-2 win over Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup third-place match.

Trailing 2-1 at halftime, the United States responded with two goals in a 10-minute span.

Earnie Stewart equalized in the 56th minute, drilling a shot from 15 yards out that landed in the upper-right corner of the Costa Rican net.

The United States then took its first lead. Landon Donovan dribbled unmarked from deep in his own end and sent a pass between Costa Rica defenders to an open Convey, whose left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area beat goalkeeper Alvaro Mesen to the short side.

"It was a great time [for the goal]," Convey said. "It was a great feeling to get the first goal and hopefully more will come."

The U.S. victory negated a two-goal performance by Costa Rica striker Rolando Fonseca. It also came at the expense of Costa Rica coach Steve Sampson, who coached the United States at the 1998 World Cup -- when the Americans lost in the first round.

Fonseca opened the scoring in the 24th minute, beating U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller from 10 yards out. Pablo Chinchilla sent a pass from the left wing through teammate Leonardo Gonzalez's screen to an open Fonseca, who finished to give Costa Rica an early lead.

"I'm very proud of the effort by our players, given the fact that we didn't arrive here until [Friday] to play a game tonight," Sampson said.

The United States tied it on Carlos Bocanegra's goal in the 29th minute. Convey's long pass found Donovan deep on the right wing, and Bocanegra converted Donovan's crossing pass, scoring from just outside the 6-yard box.

Fonseca's second goal put Costa Rica ahead 2-1 in the 39th minute. A sliding cross from Troy Bennette was tapped in front of the goal by Keller, and an unmarked Fonseca found the clear attempt and easily scored on an uncontested shot.

"The first half was frustrating. I don't know what it was," Donovan said.

The Americans, however, bounced back in the second half and earned a measure of consolation after a 2-1 loss to Brazil in the semifinals.

"It just shows good credit to the guys that we can play bad and turn it around," Keller said.

 

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