Sport

USA win third Gold Cup title

EAST RUTHERFORD, CMC

THE UNITED STATES clinched their third CONCACAF Gold Cup crown with a 3-1 penalty kick win against surprise team Panama in the final at Giants Stadium yesterday.

After a score-less game even after extra time, the U.S.A. showed more composure and produced the steadier spot kicks to add the 2005 Gold Cup to other titles they had won in 1991 and 2002.

It was the first appearance in a Gold Cup final for Panama, and fifth for the U.S.A., who will now prepare for their next World Cup qualifying assignment in mid-August against Trinidad and Tobago.

Now ranked an all-time best sixth in FIFA's world ratings, the U.S.A. got the initiative early in the penalty shootout when the U.S.A.'s keeper Kasey Keller stopped Luis Tejada's opening shot, and Santino Quaranta scored for the U.S.A.

Jorge Dely Valdes then struck the crossbar on the following kick and Alberto Blanco's shot soared high in Panama's next effort.

The door had opened briefly for Panama when Chris Armas missed the second U.S.A. kick and Felipe Baloy scored on the Central Americans' ensuing chance to cut the U.S.A. lead to 2-1.

Brad Davis' goal proved to be the winner after Blanco missed badly on the following shot.

Landon Donovan also scored for the United States.

In a tense and competitive game, both goalkeepers were forced into making pivotal saves.

The U.S.A. had several good scoring chances in the first half but shots by DaMarcus Beasley and Clint Dempsey were either off target or stopped by Penedo.

Panama, one of the least fancied teams when the tournament started on July 6, nearly grabbed the lead before the half but the shot by defender Jose Anthony Torres passed just over the crossbar after Keller had fallen to the ground.

Panama threatened repeatedly in the second half but could not score.

The Central Americans had several excellent opportunities in the second half as Jorge Dely Valdes and Luis Tejada easily ran past a sluggish U.S. midfield.

In the 75th minute, Dely Valdes struck the crossbar with a shot and as the U.S.A. increased their pace and intensity, substitute Santino Quaranta sent in a cross that skidded between Penedo's legs but was just beyond the reach of the onrushing Clint Dempsey in the 80th minute.