Gold Cup Semifinals

Jamaica 2 USA 1

I'm still a bit gutted by this result. Despite holding a 20-10 advantage in shots, and owning nearly 60% of the possession, the U.S. lost 2-1 to the Jamaicans and will miss their first Gold Cup Final since 2003. Ironically, it was Jamaica's MLS contingent that did the damage as Darren Mattocks (Vancouver) and Giles Barnes (Houston) scored the goals while Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls) picked up an assist. The tournament isn't over for the U.S. just yet though as they have a chance at redemption in the third place game against Panama. The U.S. drew with Panama 1-1 in the opening round. Jamaica, meanwhile, will gear up for their first ever Gold Cup Final. Their previous best finish was fourth place in 1998.

Mexico 2 Panama 1

For the second match in a row, Mexico was the beneficiary of a late (and controversial) penalty, this time allowing them to score the equalizer deep into stoppage time and then later the game winner in the first half of extra time. Despite playing a man down from the 25th minute on, Panama kept Mexico off the board and even took the lead in the 57th minute on a goal by Román Torres. But a questionable handball call against Torres paved the way for Mexico to once again advance to the Finals. Mexico now gets ready to take on Jamaica after going 120 minutes in back-to-back matches, as they seek their third Gold Cup win since 2009.

MLSers in Action

Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders/USA) - Started, 90 mins
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders/USA) - Started, 90 mins, 7 shots
Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy/USA) - Started, 90 mins, 2 shots
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake/USA) - Started, 67 mins, yellow card
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/USA) - Started, 90 mins, 4 shots, 1 goal
Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy/USA) - Sub, 17 mins, 1 shot
Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls/Jamaica) - Started, 90 mins, 1 shot, 1 assist
Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo/Jamaica) - Started, 85 mins, 2 shots, 1 goal
Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps/Jamaica) - Started, 57 mins, 1 shot, 1 goal
Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas/Jamaica) - Started, 90 mins, 1 shot
Jaime Penedo (LA Galaxy/Panama) - Started, 120 mins, 3 saves, 2 goals allowed