The United States will face Honduras in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after both sides narrowly got through from the last eight on Saturday. The US the defending champion in the regional competition for North and Central America and the Caribbean, had to fight back from a goal down to win 2-1 courtesy of an extra-time penalty from substitute Kenny Cooper. A controversial penalty earlier gave Honduras a 1-0 victory over Canada to end the chances of an all-North American meeting in the last four. The US fielding a totally different team to the one which reached the final of the Confederation Cup last month, went behind on the stroke of half-time when Panama striker Blas Perez pounced on a loose ball in the area and sweetly struck home. Kyle Beckerman brought the US level in the fourth minute after the break when, after a deft touch from Davy Arnaud, he blasted home from the edge of the area. Panama keeper Jaime Penedo produced a superb save to deny Heath Pearce early in extra-time before the US got their winner from the spot. Panama defender Roman Torres made a wild challenge on Cooper – his raised boot crashing into his opponent's midriff – and the striker rose to convert the spot kick and ensure the US remain unbeaten in nine games against Panama. The Panama players protested strongly against the referee, surrounding him at the close of the game, and they could well face disciplinary action from CONCACAF. Canada also felt it was hard done by when, in the 36th minute, its defender Paul Stalteri was judged to have fouled Walter Martinez as the Honduras striker attempted a bicycle kick. Martinez drove home the penalty kick but his side then had to survive plenty of pressure in the second half. The Canadians came desperately close five minutes from the end when a header from Kevin McKenna struck the post and Ali Gerba blasted the rebound high and wide but they bow out of the tournament.
