ARLINGTON, Texas -- The setting couldn't have been more perfect for Clint Dempsey.

There he was, in his home state, with 27 friends and family in attendance and even more from his hometown of Nacogdoches. And midway through the second half of a tense and scoreless Gold Cup semifinal against Costa Rica, the United States needed an offensive spark.

As he has so many times in the past, Dempsey delivered for the Americans, setting up Jozy Altidore's opener in the 72nd minute, and then scoring a goal...

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Three thoughts from the United States' 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Saturday night in the 2017 Gold Cup semifinals.

1. Dempsey sparks U.S. to victory

While it might not be quite the time yet to label Clint Dempsey as a "super sub" for the U.S. national team, he played the role with aplomb Saturday in sparking the U.S. to a 2-0 win over Costa Rica in the Gold Cup semifinals at AT&T Stadium.

The result sends the U.S. to a 10th Gold Cup final, where it will likely face familiar...

HOUSTON -- Here's what we learned in Manchester United's 2-0 International Champions Cup win against Manchester City on Thursday night.

Lukaku and Rashford, a return to twin strikers?

It has been a while since twin strikers were the fashion, with false nines and solitary front men dominating the scene in recent years, but Jose Mourinho believes Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford can play together up front. The Manchester United pair backed up their manager's theory in Houston.

They both possess...

PHILADELPHIA -- Just call it "50 Shades of Soccer." Wednesday's Gold Cup quarterfinal between the U.S. and El Salvador had just about everything. There was biting, nipple twisting and, oh, a couple of U.S. goals in a 2-0 win for the home side.

Yep, just another night in CONCACAF.

Jozy Altidore was the recipient of most of the unwanted advances, including a bite from El Salvador defender Henry Romero in the 59th minute. Romero later twisted Altidore's nipple, and both actions had the effect of incapacitating...

PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. men's national team is headed to the semifinals of the 2017 Gold Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over El Salvador. First-half goals from Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj gave the U.S. the lead it needed, despite a few anxious moments in the second half.

Here are three thoughts from the Americans' victory.

1. U.S. keeps emotions in check to advance

For the majority of the first half, the style and emotion fit El Salvador's game plan. There were plenty of off-the-ball shenanigans,...

SANDY, Utah -- Manchester United spent just over 10 hours in Salt Lake City on Monday, but with Juan Mata injured and Antonio Valencia sent off for dangerous play during the victory over Real Salt Lake, Jose Mourinho must have flown back to the team's Los Angeles base wondering whether it was a trip worth making.

After all, this game was United's second in the space of 48 hours, following Saturday's 5-2 victory over LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center.

On Thursday, United face neighbours Manchester...