U.S., Mexico meet again in Gold Cup final
Last Updated: Friday, July 24, 2009 | 1:47 AM ET
The Associated Press
American Kenny Cooper, right, celebrates after scoring the second goal against Honduras during Thursday's game. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)The United States and Mexico will meet in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final for the second straight time and fourth time in 16 years after victories on Thursday night.
Clarence Goodson scored at the end of the first half and Kenny Cooper added a goal at the end of the second to give the Americans a 2-0 victory over Honduras and a spot in their third straight Gold Cup final.
It was the U.S. team's third win over Honduras in less than seven weeks, and the second at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The final takes place Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.
"It's a big opportunity for all of us, and we're all trying to take advantage of that," said Goodson.
Honduras had a chance to tie the game with five minutes to play, but goalkeeper Troy Perkins and defender Jay Heaps made big stops. Perkins made an excellent save on a shot by Carlo Costly, then Heaps made a sliding block to clear the rebound and end the threat.
Cooper then sealed the victory in the 90th after a nice exchange by Brian Ching and Stuart Holden.
"For sure the opportunities we had in the early part of the second half, you worry about," said coach Bob Bradley. "Sometimes when you don't take advantage of opportunities, you pay for it."
Ching, the only regular starter on the Gold Cup roster after missing the Confederations Cup with a strained hamstring, flicked the ball to Holden off his back heel.
Holden crossed it to Cooper, who one-timed it past Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escobar from about three metres.
As the Americans celebrated, Escobar leaned into the net, stone-faced.
Many chances missed
The Americans had numerous chances at the end of the first half, including near-misses by both Holden and Ching in the final three minutes.
Holden's free kick in the 43rd was tipped over the crossbar by Escobar, while Ching grazed the crossbar a minute later with a left-footed shot from close range.
Finally, in stoppage time, the Americans broke through off a corner kick by Holden.
Positioned directly in front of the goal, Goodson outjumped Costly for the ball and headed it past Escobar into the net.
It was Goodson's first international goal, and he celebrated by sliding across the grass as his teammates rushed toward him. Goodson is the 10th U.S. player to score during the Gold Cup.
Mexico flawless in penalty kicks
Guillermo Ochoa came up with the big save on the third penalty kick, giving Mexico a victory over Costa Rica in the late game on Thursday night
Mexico won 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie.
After Carlos Vela buried the fifth and final penalty into the corner of the net to seal the victory, he sprinted over and tackled Ochoa as the rest of their teammates rushed forward to join the dogpile.
It marks Mexico's sixth trip to the Gold Cup final, its only loss coming two years ago at the hands of the Americans.
"We're very happy as a team. This was a struggle against a very good team, but now we are through to the final," Ochoa said.
Mexico could have been through a lot earlier, blowing several chances to put the game away in the second half and in the first period of extra time. But when it counted most, Ochoa and his teammates came up big, making each of their penalties and getting that one critical save.
Froylan Ledezma, whose goal in the 93rd minute sent this game into extra time, took Costa Rica's third penalty kick. But as he connected, Ochoa dived to his left and thrust out his hands, smacking the ball away. Costa Rica would make its next penalty, but it wouldn't matter.
The game was wide open early, with both teams able to make deep runs and get into the area with little trouble. But Mexico seemed to have the edge in the second half, and had several chances to get on the board.
Ticos captain Freddy Fernandez was whistled for a handball in the 56th minute after a cross by Jose Antonio Castro smacked his upper arm. Miguel Sabah, whose four goals lead the Gold Cup, took the penalty kick but the ball rolled right to Costa Rica goalkeeper Keilor Navas. Navas dived on it, smothering it and drawing groans from the Mexico fans who made up much of the crowd of 55,173 at Soldier Field.
In the 82nd minute, Fernandez tripped Carlos Vela and was given a yellow card. Castro took the kick from about 25 yards, but instead of directing it toward the goal, he kicked it to the side and it was immediately cleared by a Ticos defender.
Mexico finally broke through in the 88th minute when Franco scored from the edge of the 6-yard box. Navas swatted at the ball, but it bounced backward and over the goal line. The stadium erupted, but the celebration was short-lived.
Three minutes into stoppage time and seconds from the final whistle, Alvaro Saborio headed the ball forward and Ledezma beat Juan Carlos Valenzuela for it. Ochoa had no chance at the laser from 10 yards, taking the game into extra time.
