HOUSTON // The USA and Mexico will meet in a Gold Cup final in Los Angeles for the third time in succession after both scraped through their semi-finals today.
It took two extra-time goals from Aldo de Nigris and Javier Hernandez for Mexico to defear Honduras, while a single Clint Dempsey goal on 77 minutes was enough for the US to beat Panama. Both Mexico goals came from a Pablo Barrera corner-kick in a frustrating evening for Mexico, who despite socring the most goals in the tournament, struggled with the weather.
The Manchester United striker Hernandez's goal was his seventh of the tournament — a Gold Cup record.
Honduras' Roger Espinoza was sent off for his second yellow card durin In the other semi-final, Panama could not exact revenge on their 2005 Gold Cup final defeat or the form which helped them to a 2-1 win in the group stages.
Freddy Adu pumped a long-ball down the wing to Landon Donovan — playing in his 27th-straight Gold Cup match. Donovan then picked out Dempsey with a pin-point cross for the winner.
