USMNT Back Up Klinsmann's Claim as Best Team at Gold Cup

BALTIMORE — The United States men's national team delivered a statement to the rest of CONCACAF on Saturday with a 6-0 win over Cuba in the Gold Cup quarterfinals.

Thanks to their six-goal outburst, which was fueled by Clint Dempsey's first-career international hat trick, the Yanks backed up manager Jurgen Klinsmann's claim that they are the best team in the competition. The victory also marked the biggest win by the USMNT in Gold Cup history. The Yanks previously downed Belize 6-1 in 2013 and dispatched Cuba 5-0 in 2003. 

Klinsmann made that statement on Friday in his pre-match press conference, and the message to act like the top team in North America resonated with the squad for all 90 minutes.

"Overall it was a very nice performance," Klinsmann said after the match. "We wanted to make sure there were no coincidences or bad things happening."

Dempsey started the scoring in the fourth minute as he nodded in a cross from Timmy Chandler.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

The former captain then went on to strike twice in the second half to finish off his hat trick. In the 64th minute, the Seattle Sounders man converted from the spot while he also scored the night's final goal in the 78th minute. 

"It feels good. I've gotten a few (hat tricks) at the club level, but this is the first with the national team. It feels good, but I wouldn't have been able to put the ball in the back of the net without my teammates," Dempsey said. Fox Soccer noted Dempsey completed his first hat trick, and U.S. Soccer provided Klinsmann's comments regarding Dempsey's performance:

"I didn't know that was his first hat trick. It took him a long time," Klinsmann said jokingly.

The former German star also used a personal experience to get through to the forward group that combined for five goals. Gyasi Zardes contributed the second goal of the match on a beautiful right-footed finish in the 15th minute, and Aron Johannsson netted a chip in the 32nd minute.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

"I gave an example of my World Cup in 1990, against the United Arab Emirates. I didn't take it so seriously and scored one goal. I should've scored five. I told them to take it seriously," the USMNT boss said. 

Not only did the Yanks take the match seriously but they also separated themselves from the pack of contenders for the top continental honor.

In the first half, the USMNT scored four goals on five shots on target. Klinsmann's men ended the contest with eight of their 17 attempts on goal.

Nick Wass/Associated Press

"We don't need many chances. Once we are in the box, we are very clinical," Klinsmann said.

Compared to main-rival Mexico's production, the Yanks are in fine shape. El Tri have been able to score 10 goals, but they have been wasteful for the most part during the Gold Cup. In their own 6-0 win over Cuba in the group stage, Mexico put 18 of their 44 attempts on goal, per MLSSoccer.com. 

As for Costa Rica, which will face Mexico in the last quarterfinal of the tournament on Sunday, the team has produced only three goals in three matches despite the firepower of Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell up top. 

As the tournament rolls on, chances will come few and far between, especially when the Yanks will be tasked with a bigger focus on the defensive end of the pitch. Against Cuba, the back line of Chandler, Omar Gonzalez, Ventura Alvarado and Fabian Johnson was rarely challenged. 

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

By converting their chances early against Cuba, the Yanks were able to clear a good amount of doubt surrounding them following three shaky group-stage performances.

With a full tank of confidence behind them and some questions still out there about their main-contenders attacks, the Yanks thrust themselves into the role of favorite on Saturday night.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.