PHILADELPHIA — FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper delivered a victory for the United States national team Saturday night.
Cooper converted a penalty kick in the 105th minute, giving the two-time defending champions a 2-1 win over Panama and a semifinal berth in the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Honduras, which beat Canada 1-0 in the opener of the doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field.Cooper was kicked in the gut by Panama’s Roman Torres as they went for the ball, and the penalty was awarded by Mexican referee Benito Archundia. Cooper’s low PK went in off the right post.The U.S. had only one regular (forward Brian Ching) in its starting lineup and had to rally for victory. Blas Perez put Panama ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Kyle Beckerman tied the score in the 49th minute.The semifinals will be played Thursday in Chicago with the title game a week from today at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.