SEMI-FINALS – THURSDAY 25TH JULY

USA 3-1 HONDURAS

Landon Donovan grabbed another a pair of goals and an assist to guide Jurgen Klinsmann’s side to a convincing 3-1 victory over Honduras at Cowboy Stadium, Dallas.

The United States extended their record winning streak to tem games as they awaits Panama (who defeated Mexico) in next Sunday’s final at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The Americans gained the lead with Eddie Johnson and Donovan twice provided the Stars and Stripes a two-goal lead against Honduras, which gave the host nation a scare early in the second half when Nery Medina scored on a header off a set piece.

In the final, the US may be without coach Klinsmann. In the dying minutes of the game, the German was dismissed by the referee after he reacted poorly to a bad call. This was the temper tantrum that caused the referee to banish him to the locker room.

PANAMA 2-1 MEXICO

Panama reached Sunday’s final in Chicago with another 2-1 win over Mexico in the tournament. Blas Perez and Roman Torres got the goals that silenced the Mexicans fans in the Texas venue. Panama now have dreams of winning their first ever Gold Cup trophy.

Perez put Panama in front after just 13 minutes when a bad Mexican defensive mistake handed the Canaleros a chance to get forward. The ball found Perez on the right, who, despite a sharp angle, ripped a shot past Jonathan Orozco to make it 1-0.

Mexico got back in the match before the half-hour mark when Luis Montes got on the end of a wonderful Marco Fabian cross. After equalising they began to find their feet, but even with the stronger play, the rest of their chances went begging.

After the break, the basis of the play went much like the first-half. Both teams had their chances, but Panama showed more unity and composure, while Mexico struggled to piece things together.

The winner was scored just after the hour mark, Millonarios defender Torres easily got away from Joel Huiqui on a corner kick and headed home what would prove to be the match-winner.

Mexico did their best to equalize, but all their crosses into the box either found the heads of the resolute Panamanians or were cleared away not long after a Mexican got a touch to it. They couldn’t find a way through, and when the final whistle went, they couldn’t do anything but slump to the ground.

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