Does it happen tonight? In the final? In the third place match? In some friendly? Not at all? You write the story—have fun with it. I'll post mine to start.
Arlington, TX—The United States Men's National Team has a new name atop its goals scoring chart. Clint Dempsey eclipsed Landon Donovan's record of 57 goals for the national side, finding the net either side of halftime in the USA's 3-2 victory over Costa Rica in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Dempsey's scrappy close-range toe poke in the 28th minute brought the USA level at 1-1, canceling Marco Ureña's 12th minute strike. In the 63rd minute, his laser from just beyond the penalty spot finished a crisp give-and-go with midfielder Paul Arriola, giving the Yanks a 2-1 lead. Dempsey left the field to a standing ovation in the 68th minute, making way for Juan Agudelo. The USA needed an 87th minute header from defender Omar Gonzalez to separate themselves from the Ticos and advance to its tenth Gold Cup final. After scoring just one goal in his first 41 games with the national team, Gonzalez has scored in each of the last three games and is the Gold Cup's joint top scorer. Added to the roster following group stage play, Dempsey is donning an unfamiliar jersey number—28. Dempsey has worn jersey numbers 2 and 8 throughout his career, and perhaps he's on to something. The goal that tied Donovan came in the 28th minute.