USA 3-1 Honduras: Donovan leads Americans to Gold Cup final
The LA Galaxy midfielder once again proved his value to the national team, scoring two goals and picking up an assist to inspire his side to Sunday's showpiece.
Landon Donovan was once again the hero for USA as he inspired his side to a 3-1 win over Hondurasto reach the Gold Cup final.
The LA Galaxy star set up Eddie Johnson for the opening goal of the game before striking twice himself either side of a Nery Medina header to set up a clash with Panama on Sunday.
Jurgen Klinsmann made three changes to his line-up from USA's 5-1 victory over El Salvador. Johnson replaced Chris Wondolowski up front, Alejandro Bedoya took over for Joe Corona and Stuart Holden moved ahead of Mix Diskerud in midfield.
And the changes paid dividends after just 11 minutes, when Johnson linked up with Donovan before racing clear through the middle and side-footing high past Donis Escober.
In the 27th minute, it was Donovan's turn to get on the scoreboard - Bedoya cushioned a long ball into his path, and the 31-year-old expertly pulled the ball down on his chest and poked home into the bottom corner.
The United States dominated throughout, with Donovan almost connecting with a fine cross from 6 yards to put the game to bed, but Honduras did manage to cause some concern shortly after half-time.
Medina scored his first international goal in his 10-year career from a beautifully-flighted free-kick in the 52nd minute, but any pressure put on Klinsmann's side was not to last long.
A simple long ball over the backline found its way into the path of Bedoya, who knocked the ball across goal into the path of Donovan for the simplest of tap-ins from five yards out.
Nick Rimando was forced into action when Jerry Palacios charged down a clearance, but the USA keeper was alert off his line to smother the danger as Honduras battled in vain for a way back into the match.
The Americans' win was tarnished by a moment of controversy involving coach Klinsmann in the closing minutes: the German took exception to a challenge on DaMarcus Beasley and was sent from dugout for his remonstrations, meaning he could be suspended from the final itself pending a hearing of the tournament's disciplinary committee.
The LA Galaxy star set up Eddie Johnson for the opening goal of the game before striking twice himself either side of a Nery Medina header to set up a clash with Panama on Sunday.
Jurgen Klinsmann made three changes to his line-up from USA's 5-1 victory over El Salvador. Johnson replaced Chris Wondolowski up front, Alejandro Bedoya took over for Joe Corona and Stuart Holden moved ahead of Mix Diskerud in midfield.
And the changes paid dividends after just 11 minutes, when Johnson linked up with Donovan before racing clear through the middle and side-footing high past Donis Escober.
In the 27th minute, it was Donovan's turn to get on the scoreboard - Bedoya cushioned a long ball into his path, and the 31-year-old expertly pulled the ball down on his chest and poked home into the bottom corner.
The United States dominated throughout, with Donovan almost connecting with a fine cross from 6 yards to put the game to bed, but Honduras did manage to cause some concern shortly after half-time.
Medina scored his first international goal in his 10-year career from a beautifully-flighted free-kick in the 52nd minute, but any pressure put on Klinsmann's side was not to last long.
A simple long ball over the backline found its way into the path of Bedoya, who knocked the ball across goal into the path of Donovan for the simplest of tap-ins from five yards out.
Nick Rimando was forced into action when Jerry Palacios charged down a clearance, but the USA keeper was alert off his line to smother the danger as Honduras battled in vain for a way back into the match.
The Americans' win was tarnished by a moment of controversy involving coach Klinsmann in the closing minutes: the German took exception to a challenge on DaMarcus Beasley and was sent from dugout for his remonstrations, meaning he could be suspended from the final itself pending a hearing of the tournament's disciplinary committee.
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