Two first-half goals was all the United States needed as it posted a 2-1 victory over Canada in a semifinal game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Thursday at Soldier Field.
Frankie Hejduk's goal in the 39th minute and a penalty kick tally in the 45th minute by Landon Donovan exemplified an impressive first half that saw the U.S. dominant on both ends of the field.
With the victory, the United States advances to the championship match on Sunday giving them the opportunity to defend its Gold Cup title.
In the opening minute, Donovan set the tone early for the U.S. The attacker rocketed a shot off his right foot that was stopped by diving Canadian goalkeeper Patrick Onstad to keep the game scoreless.
The United States continued to play at a breakneck pace as they attempted a series of shots in the next 15 minutes, including one from Michael Bradley that was set up by Donovan.
Showing its aggressive play, the U.S. defense was issued two yellow cards in the span of eight minutes. Jonathan Bornstein collected his in the 20th minute, while Carlos Bocanegra was issued one in the 28th minute that set up a Canadian corner kick.
Canada had its best scoring opportunity of the first half in the 32nd minute. As Bocanegra was called for a defensive foul, Canada was awarded a free kick and Dwayne De Rosario lined up to take it. The attacker's shot avoided a wall of American defenders and managed to hit the right post but ricocheted away from the U.S. goal, ending a scoring chance.
In the 39th minute, Donovan set up Hejduk just outside the penalty arc and Hejduk's missile hit the inner part of the left post and caromed past Onstad to give the United States a 1-0 advantage.
Five minutes later, midfielder DaMarcus Beasley was taken down on a breakaway opportunity by Onstad in the Canadian penalty area. Donovan's penalty kick easily beat Canada's goalkeeper on his right side putting the U.S. up two, and gave Donovan his third goal of the Gold Cup.
The U.S. came out aggressive in the early going of the second half, but even the sure-footed Donovan had problems connecting.
The U.S. had a 2-on-1 breakaway but Donovan missed a golden opportunity for the Americans as he stumbled and misplayed an opportunity at an open goal in the 50th minute. Canada pounced on the opportunity, cutting the United States lead in half in the 76th minute.
Midfielder Iain Hume was able to shake off Bocanegra just outside the penalty box and he sent one with his left foot past U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller just inside the left goal post to bring Canada within one.
The Canadians pushed the ball into the U.S. side of the field for most of the second half, as the intensity of the match increased. U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley was given a red card in the 89th minute.
Fittingly, the game ended with a bit of controversy.
In extended time, it appeared that Atiba Hutchinson tied the game for Canada when his breakaway shot beat Keller to the right side of the goal. However, Hutchinson's goal was disallowed as he was called offsides.
Timothy Hilton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
