First-half goals from Frankie Hejduk and Landon Donovan saw the USA set-up a CONCACAF Gold Cup final clash with Mexico thanks to a 2-1 victory over neighbours Canada at Soldier Field on Thursday.
Hejduk broke the deadlock in the semi-final clash after 39 minutes and Donovan doubled the defending champions' advantage on the stroke of half-time before Iain Hume pulled one back for the Canadians with just under quarter of an hour remaining.
The hosts attacked from the start and Canada keeper Patrick Onstad did well to deny Donovan with just a minute gone before Mike Bradley also went close.
Canada nearly took the lead against the run of play just after the half-hour mark as Dwayne DeRosario's free-kick smacked the right post.
But the Americans finally made their domination pay as Donovan fed Hejduk and the defender hit a fine drive that beat Onstad and went in via the left-hand post.
And it got even better six minutes later as DaMarcus Beasley broke clear before being brought down by Onstad in the box. Donovan sent the Canada keeper the wrong way from the spot.
The USA star then spurned a golden opportunity to put the game beyond doubt on 50 minutes when the midfielder stumbled with the goal at his mercy.
Hume got Canada back into the contest after 76 minutes when the substitute beat veteran Kasey Keller with a left-foot strike from the edge of the area to set up a nervous finish.
Canada piled on the pressure and the United States were reduced to 10-men a minute from time when Michael Bradley was dismissed before Atiba Hutchinson had an equaliser chalked off for offside in injury time as Bob Bradley's men held on to book a meeting with Mexico.
Hugo Sanchez's side secured their place in Sunday's final after dominating their encounter with Guadeloupe.
However, the surprise semi-finalists proved stubborn opponents and it took an impressive strike from Pavel Pardo to end the underdogs' resistance.
Guadeloupe goalkeeper Frank Grandel was in particularly inspired form, denying Alberto Medina, Jose Jonny Magallon and Carlos Salcido as the sides went in level at the break.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco then headed wide when well placed five minutes after half-time before Grandel did well to keep out Adolfo Bautista's powerful header.
However, it proved a brief respite as Pardo found the top corner from 30 yards with 20 minutes to go as Guadeloupe's unexpected run finally came to an end.
The hosts attacked from the start and Canada keeper Patrick Onstad did well to deny Donovan with just a minute gone before Mike Bradley also went close.
Canada nearly took the lead against the run of play just after the half-hour mark as Dwayne DeRosario's free-kick smacked the right post.
But the Americans finally made their domination pay as Donovan fed Hejduk and the defender hit a fine drive that beat Onstad and went in via the left-hand post.
And it got even better six minutes later as DaMarcus Beasley broke clear before being brought down by Onstad in the box. Donovan sent the Canada keeper the wrong way from the spot.
The USA star then spurned a golden opportunity to put the game beyond doubt on 50 minutes when the midfielder stumbled with the goal at his mercy.
Hume got Canada back into the contest after 76 minutes when the substitute beat veteran Kasey Keller with a left-foot strike from the edge of the area to set up a nervous finish.
Canada piled on the pressure and the United States were reduced to 10-men a minute from time when Michael Bradley was dismissed before Atiba Hutchinson had an equaliser chalked off for offside in injury time as Bob Bradley's men held on to book a meeting with Mexico.
Hugo Sanchez's side secured their place in Sunday's final after dominating their encounter with Guadeloupe.
However, the surprise semi-finalists proved stubborn opponents and it took an impressive strike from Pavel Pardo to end the underdogs' resistance.
Guadeloupe goalkeeper Frank Grandel was in particularly inspired form, denying Alberto Medina, Jose Jonny Magallon and Carlos Salcido as the sides went in level at the break.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco then headed wide when well placed five minutes after half-time before Grandel did well to keep out Adolfo Bautista's powerful header.
However, it proved a brief respite as Pardo found the top corner from 30 yards with 20 minutes to go as Guadeloupe's unexpected run finally came to an end.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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