Played
June 23, 2011 12:00 AM BST
Reliant Stadium — Houston, Texas
Referee: E. Wijngaarde
Attendance: 70627
June 23, 2011 12:00 AM BST
Reliant Stadium — Houston, Texas
Referee: E. Wijngaarde
Attendance: 70627
76′
Clint Dempsey
Top of the Match
Clint Dempsey
USA
USA
Freddy Adu
USA
USA
Flop of the Match
J. Penedo
Panama
Panama
Sacha Kljestan
USA
USA
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating USA 1-0 Panama: Clint Dempsey scores to lead Americans into Gold Cup final
Coach Bob Bradley's decision to bring on Landon Donovan and Freddy Adu in the second-half paid off as they set up the Fulham forward's goal
By Mike Slane
Bob Levey
United States coach Bob Bradley pulled out all the cards on a bizarre night in the Lone Star State, and in the end, he looked like a genius.
After being frustrated by a disciplined Panama side, Bradley inserted Landon Donovan and Freddy Adu off the bench in the second half and watched both players set up a Clint Dempsey goal to lift the US to a 1-0 victory at Reliant Stadium and advance to the Gold Cup final for the fourth straight time.
The Americans, who had suffered an embarrassing defeat to Panama in the group stages of the tournament, got revenge and will play Mexico next weekend after they beat Honduras in extra-time.
The US controlled possession early on but their only real scoring opportunity in the first-half came in the 25th minute when Steve Cherundolo played a nice ball to Juan Agudelo, who headed it off the post. They only had three shots in the first 45 minutes.
That’s when Bradley decided to make the changes. Donovan, who came off the bench for the second straight game, entered after half-time for Sacha Kljestan.
Then Adu made his first national team appearance in two years when he came on in the 66th minute for Agudelo.
It only took 10 minutes before both midfielders made a big difference. The 22-year-old Adu, who was the most surprising selection for the team, found a streaking Donovan down the right side of the field who carried the ball into the box before squaring it to Dempsey in front of goal and the Fulham man made no mistake.
Panama had all their opportunities in the second half but failed to capitalise, meaning it is the Americans who progress.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
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Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chicharito Striker Manchester United |
7 | 1 |
|
R. Zelaya Striker Alania |
4 | 1 |
|
A. De Nigris Striker Monterrey |
4 | 0 |
|
Clint Dempsey Midfielder Tottenham |
3 | 0 |
|
Giovani dos Santos Striker Mallorca |
3 | 0 |
