USA: Gold Cup 2005 Champions

Interesting how the idea that American athletics frowns upon (penalty kicks deciding a championship) was the road taken to bring the US their third CONCACAF Gold Cup title. The States battled with Panama for 120 minutes but both sides failed to place the ball in the back of the net. I will not say this was the prettiest of matches, but the severly outmatched and underskilled Panamanian squad held their own and showed a lot of guts out there, and both goalies made some terrific saves.

The US, now ranked #6 in the world, did not have their best players (expect the World Cup squad to be a tad different). Panama, who jumped up to #83, made a great and surprising effort, put away South Africa (#38) and Colombia (#25) to just reach the finals. They choked in the penalty kick's, blanking on their first two attempts. Of all the kicks taken, Landon Donovan's firm and decisive try, the second goal of the period, epitomized the afternoon: the US was established and Panama was scrapping. The US knocked in 3 of 4 and won the match and title 3:1.