USMNT Defeats Costa Rica In Gold Cup Semis In Front Of 45,516

The USMNT yesterday earned a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals "before 45,516 at AT&T Stadium." The USMNT "advanced to the final for a record 10th time and will play reigning champion Mexico or Jamaica on Wednesday at Levi's Stadium." Mexico and Jamaica will play today in the other semifinal at the Rose Bowl (WASHINGTON POST, 7/23). The USMNT, which is 8-0-5 under coach Bruce Arena, "must be considered the Gold Cup favorite" (SI.com, 7/23).

Meanwhile, nearly 35,000 fans yesterday "paid top dollar for a glorified scrimmage" between EPL club Tottenham and Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain in the Int'l Champions Cup. Soccer is "blowing up in this country and the now-annual ICC is proof positive." However, Orlando City SC might not have been "happy about two world-class teams playing at Camping World Stadium on the same weekend" the team returned to action at Orlando City Stadium after a two-week layoff (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/23).