U.S. defeats Panama in Gold Cup
United States' Clint Dempsey, center, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against Panama during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal soccer match. (June 22, 2011) Credit: AP
HOUSTON -- Clint Dempsey scored in the 77th minute off an assist from Landon Donovan, and the United States advanced to the Gold Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Panama last night.
The Americans will play in the biennial tournament's championship game for the fourth straight time after avenging a 2-1 loss to Panama on June 11.
Freddy Adu made a long-awaited return to American soccer in the second half, and set up the winning play with a cross-field pass to Donovan, who played in his 27th consecutive Gold Cup match to extend his own record.
Donovan then threaded a pinpoint pass through the Panama defense to Dempsey, who slid as he redirected the ball into the low corner of the net.
The United States defeated Panama in the knockout stage of the tournament for the fourth straight time. But the Americans had never lost in the group stage of the tournament, or to Panama in international play, until the shocking defeat earlier this month.
U.S. forward Jozy Altidore was ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a strained hamstring.
Altidore had scored two of the Americans' six goals in the event. He was hurt in the ninth minute of the 2-0 victory against Jamaica on Sunday. Tickets sold out for the semifinals doubleheader, but the stadium was only about half-full at the start of the first game.
The U.S. will play Mexico, for the championship at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Mexico topped Honduras, 2-0, in the late game. -- AP
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