Jurgen Klinsmann praises "hungry" Clint Dempsey

USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann has heaped praise on Clint Dempsey following the striker's hat-trick against Cuba in their Gold Cup quarter-final tie on Saturday evening.

The 32-year-old struck a treble to help his country record a 6-0 victory and set up a last-four clash against Jamaica.

"What we've really enjoyed the last couple of weeks is his energy, his energy to also come back and help out and to constantly stay in the game," Klinsmann told reporters.

"He's not switching off at all. He's hungry. He's hungry for goals first of all, and that helps us. This is what a striker is keeping in his mind non-stop. This is what drives you. Every day, a striker is thinking, 'every day I want to score'.

"Right now he seems happy, balanced and he seems to be alright with himself as well. He's in good physical shape, which is important. He has the feeling that he can always get ahead of my opponent. Now we make sure he really enjoys the next two games. Those are the big ones. These are the ones where you really want him to score."

Dempsey has scored six goals for the USA in this year's Gold Cup.