US advance to Gold Cup quarterfinals

AFP, FOXBOROUGH (USA): Clint Dempsey bagged his third goal of the tournament as the United States booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup here Friday with a 1-0 win over Haiti.
Dempsey, who scored twice in the USA’s 2-1 opening win over Honduras, was on target once more in the second half as the holders made hard work of defeating the Haitians.
The win assured Jurgen Klinsmann’s side of a place in the last eight before their final Group A game against Panama, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Honduras earlier Friday.
Dempsey’s winner was another sweet moment for the former Fulham striker, who was stripped of the USA’s captain’s armband before the tournament after he was banned for ripping up a referee’s notebook during a club match.
Klinsmann had opted for a new-look starting line-up following Tuesday’s opener against Honduras, making six changes to his side.
For much of the first half, the multiple changes showed, with the US giving a disjointed display against a physical Haiti.
Haiti defender Mechack Jerome might even have given his side the lead on 10 minutes, hitting the woodwork with a free-kick which had US goalkeeper Brad Guzan beaten.
Slowly but surely the Americans increased the tempo and started to exert pressure.
Klinsmann’s men were unlucky not to take the lead on 35 minutes when Holland-based striker Aron Johannsson scored with a low finish only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Replays later showed Johannsson was onside when Jozy Altidore played him in.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann sent on Gyasi Zardes at half-time in place of fellow striker Jozy Altidore, a move that paid quick dividends when the Los Angeles Galaxy player found Dempsey with a perfect pass that led to the game’s only goal.
“I love being with this group of guys; they’re top players,” Zardes said. “I’m just trying to pursue my career and hopefully be like them.”
“He will get stronger still. I’m not worried about it,” Klinsmann said. “He’s still in the process of becoming Jozy Altidore. We know he’s going to score some goals.”
“He made a great play for us and we’ll count on him to continue making some big plays for us,” American captain Michael Bradley said of Zardes.
Captain Michael Bradley should have done better three minutes later, but scuffed his shot wide from around eight yards.
But the introduction of rising star Gyasi Zardes for Altidore at the start of the second half had an immediate impact.
The 23-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker’s pace soon had Haiti’s defence in trouble, and on 47 minutes he created the opener for Dempsey, cutting back a superb pass for the Seattle Sounders striker to finish.
Haiti responded bravely to the American opener however, and needed Guzan to be at his best to save well in the 57th minute when Duckens Nazon broke clear and shot.
Haiti continued to carve out promising chances but Guzan held firm in the American goal as the hosts clinched a quarter-final in Baltimore next Saturday against one of the two best third-placed sides.
Earlier, Panama and Honduras played an ill-tempered match during which tempers boiled over several times in the second half as referee Marlon Mejia struggled to keep control.
Panama’s players were particularly incensed, especially when they were denied two penalties and had defender Luis Henriquez sent off for a second yellow, while four others were booked.
Two Honduras players were also booked.
A draw was probably a fair result, though Honduras had two chances in added time when Romell Quioto missed from five yards out before Eddy Hernandez had a goal ruled out for offside.
It was the second goal by Hernandez disallowed for offside.
Panama took the lead in the 21st minute when Luis Tejada scored from a well-worked set piece and they had two strong penalty appeals, one either side of half-time, though the referee remained unmoved.
Honduras had the better of the final 30 minutes and were rewarded in the 78th minute when Andy Najar was tripped inside the box and Mejia pointed at the spot, sparking a full-scale melee between the players.
It took officials a full three minutes to restore order.
Andy Najar’s penalty attempt was then brilliantly pushed on to the crossbar by Panama keeper Jaime Penedo but the ball cannoned back to the feet of Najar, who made the easy tap-in before celebrating with an acrobatic backflip.
Three minutes later, Panama’s players again remonstrated with Mejia and Alberto Quintero was lucky to avoid a red card when he made clear contact with the official.
Even the final whistle did not signal the end of their complaints as Panama players continued to remonstrate with the referee at the edge of the pitch.

US advance to Gold Cup quarterfinals

AFP, FOXBOROUGH (USA): Clint Dempsey bagged his third goal of the tournament as the United States booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup here Friday with a 1-0 win over Haiti. Dempsey, who scored twice in the USAs 2-1 opening win over Honduras, was on target once more in the second half as the holders made hard work of defeating the Haitians. The win assured Jurgen Klinsmanns side of a place in the last eight before their final Group A game against Panama, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Honduras earlier Friday. Dempseys winner was another sweet moment for the former Fulham striker, who was stripped of the USAs captains armband before the tournament after he was banned for ripping up a referees notebook during a club match. Klinsmann had opted for a new-look starting line-up following Tuesdays opener against Honduras, making six changes to his side. For much of the first half, the multiple changes showed, with the US giving a disjointed display against a physical Haiti. Haiti defender Mechack Jerome might even have given his side the lead on 10 minutes, hitting the woodwork with a free-kick which had US goalkeeper Brad Guzan beaten. Slowly but surely the Americans increased the tempo and started to exert pressure. Klinsmanns men were unlucky not to take the lead on 35 minutes when Holland-based striker Aron Johannsson scored with a low finish only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Replays later showed Johannsson was onside when Jozy Altidore played him in. US coach Jurgen Klinsmann sent on Gyasi Zardes at half-time in place of fellow striker Jozy Altidore, a move that paid quick dividends when the Los Angeles Galaxy player found Dempsey with a perfect pass that led to the games only goal. I love being with this group of guys; theyre top players, Zardes said. Im just trying to pursue my career and hopefully be like them. He will get stronger still. Im not worried about it, Klinsmann said. Hes still in the process of becoming Jozy Altidore. We know hes going to score some goals. He made a great play for us and well count on him to continue making some big plays for us, American captain Michael Bradley said of Zardes. Captain Michael Bradley should have done better three minutes later, but scuffed his shot wide from around eight yards. But the introduction of rising star Gyasi Zardes for Altidore at the start of the second half had an immediate impact. The 23-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy strikers pace soon had Haitis defence in trouble, and on 47 minutes he created the opener for Dempsey, cutting back a superb pass for the Seattle Sounders striker to finish. Haiti responded bravely to the American opener however, and needed Guzan to be at his best to save well in the 57th minute when Duckens Nazon broke clear and shot. Haiti continued to carve out promising chances but Guzan held firm in the American goal as the hosts clinched a quarter-final in Baltimore next Saturday against one of the two best third-placed sides. Earlier, Panama and Honduras played an ill-tempered match during which tempers boiled over several times in the second half as referee Marlon Mejia struggled to keep control. Panamas players were particularly incensed, especially when they were denied two penalties and had defender Luis Henriquez sent off for a second yellow, while four others were booked. Two Honduras players were also booked. A draw was probably a fair result, though Honduras had two chances in added time when Romell Quioto missed from five yards out before Eddy Hernandez had a goal ruled out for offside. It was the second goal by Hernandez disallowed for offside. Panama took the lead in the 21st minute when Luis Tejada scored from a well-worked set piece and they had two strong penalty appeals, one either side of half-time, though the referee remained unmoved. Honduras had the better of the final 30 minutes and were rewarded in the 78th minute when Andy Najar was tripped inside the box and Mejia pointed at the spot, sparking a full-scale melee between the players. It took officials a full three minutes to restore order. Andy Najars penalty attempt was then brilliantly pushed on to the crossbar by Panama keeper Jaime Penedo but the ball cannoned back to the feet of Najar, who made the easy tap-in before celebrating with an acrobatic backflip. Three minutes later, Panamas players again remonstrated with Mejia and Alberto Quintero was lucky to avoid a red card when he made clear contact with the official. Even the final whistle did not signal the end of their complaints as Panama players continued to remonstrate with the referee at the edge of the pitch.