CHICAGO — First the big boys in South Africa, now the JV at home. No matter who the United States puts on the field these days, they’re finding a way to win.
Clarence Goodson scored at the end of the first half and Kenny Cooper at the end of the second to give a young American team a 2-0 victory over Honduras last night at Soldier Field and a spot in its third straight CONCACAF Gold Cup final. The Americans, winners of the last two Gold Cup titles, will play Mexico in Sunday’s final at Giants Stadium. The Mexicans edged Costa Rica 5-3 last night on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie.
“It’s a big opportunity for all of us, and we’re all trying to take advantage of that,” said Goodson, who got his first goal in his fifth appearance with the U.S. team.
Honduras had a chance to tie with 5 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 with a goal in the 90th, one-timing a pass from Stuart Holden past Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escobar. As the Americans celebrated, Escobar leaned into the net, stone-faced.
It was the U.S. team’s third win over Honduras in less than seven weeks, and the second at Soldier Field.
“I think it’s going to be a sweet and sour taste going back home,” Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said. “We have to accept reality and learn from what we experienced here. . . . We didn’t reach our objective in reaching the final.”
The U.S. men stunned the soccer world last month by upsetting top-ranked Spain before falling to Brazil in the Confederations Cup. The Gold Cup may not have quite the buzz as that tournament, which also featured World Cup champion Italy, but this run is impressive in its own right.
American coach Bob Bradley did a complete makeover of his roster after the Confederations Cup, letting most of his top players return to their MLS teams or take time off ahead of the European season. In their place, he brought in a bunch of youngsters, many making their first appearances with the senior national team.
While they might not have the flair of Landon Donovan, Tim Howard or Carlos Bocanegra, the kids have been more than all right.
The Americans have gone unbeaten in the tournament, and several young players have emerged who could play a role in next year’s World Cup. Goodson is the sixth American to get his first goal during the World Cup. Holden had assists on both goals, adding to the two he scored in earlier games.
“They’re not intimidated by the situations,” said Brian Ching, the lone regular starter on the Gold Cup roster after missing the Confederations Cup with a strained hamstring. “Some of the guys have shown well, and that’s always a good sign of things to come.”