Soccer - Second half goals take USA into Gold Cup final

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; United States forward Jozy Altidore (27) chases the ball during the second half of the game against Costa Rica at AT&T Stadium. Altidore scores a goal as The United States shut out Costa Rica 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - The United States breezed into the final of the 2017 Gold Cup after second half goals from Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey secured the hosts' 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Saturday.

Altidore broke the deadlock after 72 minutes when he clipped the ball past advancing keeper Patrick Pemberton following a lovely through ball from substitute Dempsey.

Dempsey himself got the second 10 minutes later with a sublime free-kick that curled low round the wall and inside Pemberton's left-hand post.

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; United States forward Clint Dempsey (28) celebrates his goal against Costa Rica during the second half at AT&T Stadium. The United States shut out Costa Rica 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It was Dempsey's 57th goal for his country, taking him equal with Landon Donovan on the United States' all-time leading goalscorers' list.

The goals, however, were rare moments of excitement in what was a poor game, particularly for Costa Rica, who rarely troubled Tim Howard in the US goal.

U.S. forward Jordan Morris hit the post after 13 seconds but that was the highlight in a dire first half.

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Costa Rica forward David Ramirez (7) defends against United States forward Clint Dempsey (28) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. The United States shut out Costa Rica 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Both sides improved in the second period, but the home side were far hungrier, with Howard, Altidore and Dempsey, three players who joined the squad after the group games, proving key additions.

The win takes Bruce Arena's run to 13 games without loss since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann last November. They now face either Mexico or Jamaica, who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday, in next Wednesday's final in Santa Clara, California.

The United States have won the tournament five times since it was first held in 1991.

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; United States midfielder Paul Arriola (20) and Costa Rica defender Francisco Calvo (15) jump for the ball during the second half at AT&T Stadium. The United States shut out Costa Rica 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; United States forward Clint Dempsey (28) and midfielder Darlington Nagbe (25) and forward Jordan Morris (8) and midfielder Michael Bradley (26) celebrate a goal by Dempsey against Costa Rica during the second half at AT&T Stadium. The United States shut out Costa Rica 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; United States forward Jozy Altidore (27) celebrates his goal with his teammates during the second half of the game against Costa Rica AT&T Stadium. The United States shut out Costa Rica 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; United States defender Jorge Villafan (2) and defender Matt Besler (5) defend against Costa Rica midfielder David Guzman (20) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 22, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; United States defender Jorge Villafan (2) and Costa Rica forward Marco Urena (21) fight for the ball during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports