USA edge Panama 1-0 to win CONCACAF Gold Cup

Members of the United States celebrate winning the Gold Cup after defeating Panama during the CONCACAF Gold Cup final match at Soldier Field on July 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The United States defeated Panama 1-0.

The US Men’s National Soccer Team won the 2013 Gold Cup, beating Panama 1-0 in the final.

Despite playing in absence of suspended coach Jurgen Klinsmann, USA managed to hold their own thanks to a high-quality performance by star forward Landon Donavan as he kept the oppositions defenders and bay for the entire game and helped create the only goal of the match.

Donavan managed to play a dummy that confused Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo and all goalscorer Brek Shea had to do was tap the ball home for an easy goal.

“I took a mighty swing at it and missed,” Donovan said. “But it was enough to throw the goalie off.”

Even though the quality of football on display wasn’t as high as one would have hoped, Donavan said he didn’t mind so long his team got the required result.

“We feel good about where we are,” said the four-time Gold Cup winner. “To have a taste of that again was fun.”

This victory gives the US an opportunity to compete in a playoff match versus the winners of the 2015 Gold Cup, the winners of which will get a direct entry into the 2017 Gold Cup.

This was the fifth time USA have won the Gold Cup, with previous victories coming in 1991, 2002, 2005 and 2007.