Led by LA Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes and a crew of MLS standouts, the U.S. Men’s National Team have made a historic run to the Copa America Centenario semifinals where it will take on heavyweight Argentina on Tuesday, June 21 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX (9 p.m. ET, FS1/Univision/UDN).
Clint Dempsey, who returns to his home state of Texas, is firing on all cylinders with three goals and three assists which rank third (tied with Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and Brazil’s Coutinho) and first in Copa America play, respectively. MLS players have been vital to the U.S.’s success, contributing six of the seven U.S. goals scored in the tournament (Dempsey, 3; Jermaine Jones, 1; Graham Zusi, 1; Gyasi Zardes, 1), and providing five assists* (Dempsey, 3; Jones, 1; Zardes, 1). MLS players have been involved in every goal scored by the U.S. in Copa America play.
The U.S. will look to repeat a bit of history vs. Argentina on Tuesday night in Houston. 21 years ago, the Stars-and-Stripes stunned the soccer world with a 3-0 win over Argentina that fueled their historic run to the semifinals of the 1995 Copa America. Every player that featured in the fateful match against Argentina went on to play in MLS during their professional careers, including MLS greats Kasey Keller, Alexi Lalas, Tab Ramos, Cobi Jones, Eric Wynalda, and current club technical staff members Earnie Stewart (Philadelphia Union) and Claudio Reyna (NYCFC). Watch the highlights above.
U.S. 1995 Copa America lineup vs. Argentina:
Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC, 2009-11); Alexi Lalas (New England Revolution, 1995-96; MetroStars, 1998; Kansas City Wizards, 1999; LA Galaxy, 2001-03), Marcelo Balboa (MetroStars, 2002), Paul Caligiuri (Columbus Crew SC, 1996; LA Galaxy, 1997-2001); Cobi Jones (LA Galaxy, 1996-2007), Earnie Stewart (D.C. United, 2003-04), Thomas Dooley (Columbus Crew SC, 1997-2000; MetroStars, 2000), John Harkes (D.C. United, 1996-98; New England Revolution, 1999-2001; Columbus Crew SC, 2001-02), Frank Klopas (Kansas City Wizards, 1996-97; Chicago Fire, 1998-99); Joe-Max Moore (New England Revolution, 1996-99, 2003-04), Eric Wynalda (San Jose Clash, 1996-99; New England Revolution, 2000-01; Chicago Fire, 2001).
Substitutes: Mike Burns (New England Revolution, 1996-2000; San Jose Earthquakes, 2000; Kansas City Wizards, 2001-02), Tab Ramos (MetroStars, 1996-2002).
