USA vs. Honduras in East Rutherford, N.J.
Gold Cup, semifinal, Thursday, July 21
TV: 6 pm ET/ 3 pm PT live on Telefutura
The USA's quest for the Gold Cup title continues Thursday with a semifinal clash against Honduras, whose win over the Americans on Sept. 1, 2001 marked the last U.S. loss to a CONCACAF team on U.S. soil. The USA is since undefeated at home in 28 games against regional foes.
U.S. coach Bruce Arena said his team's 3-1 quarterfinal win over Jamaica was its best performance of this Gold Cup, in which it beat Cuba (4-1) and Canada (2-0) and tied Costa Rica (0-0) in first-round play.
Of the players who played against the Reggae Boyz, midfielder Ben Olsen (red-card suspension) and Steve Cherundolo (sprained MCL) are out.
DaMarcus Beasley scored twice and assisted in the Jamaica win. He and Landon Donovan each have three tournament goals. Clint Dempsey and Josh Wolff, each with one goal, were the other scorers for the USA, which got an own goal against Canada.
HISTORY: The USA has won two Gold Cups, under Coach Bora Milutinovic in 1991 and under Arena in 2002. Also during Arena's tenure, the Americans finished fifth in 2000 and third in 2003.
HONDURAS. The Catrachos, who are out of contention for the 2006 World Cup, reached the semis with a 3-2 win over Costa Rica in which they took a 3-0 lead in the first 30 minutes. They are led by forwards Wilmer Velasquez, who has three tournament goals, and Milton "Tyson" Nunez, who has struck once. Defensive veterans include Chicago Fire duo Ivan Guerrero (on the flank) and Samuel Caballero (central).