Mexico, USA to face off in Gold Cup final again
Published:Thursday | June 23, 2011 | 2:01 PM
Melton Williams, Gleaner Writer
Defending champions Mexico and the United States earned the right to contest the final of the 2011 CONCACAF following contrasting semi-final victories last night at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Aldo De Nigris and Javier Hernandez scored in extra time to send Mexico to the final with a 2-nil win against Honduras in the second semi-final.
And United States earned a fourth straight trip to the Gold Cup final following a 1-nil victory over Panama.
As a result of the victory, the United States avenged their only loss to the Central Americans, who defeated them 2-1 in the group stage 11 days earlier.
Clint Dempsey lunged at the back post to touch in a Landon Donovan cross in the 76th minute, the only goal the Americans needed to wrap up the victory.
The Americans knocked out Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz at the quarter-final stage courtesy of a 2-nil victory on Sunday.
The final takes place on Saturday in the Rose Bowl and the winner clinches a berth in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013.
melton.williams@gleanerjm.com