Gold Cup: Semifinal Preview

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. - Four teams are each just a win away from playing for a Gold Cup title and an automatic berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Here are the two semifinals that will be played on June 22 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Mexico vs. Honduras

How they got here: Honduras: The Catrachos opened the tournament with a lackluster, 0-0 draw with Guatemala, but followed that up with a 7-1 win over Grenada before falling to Group B champion Jamaica, 1-0. However, the team played its best of the tournament in the quarterfinals against Costa Rica, getting a goal just after halftime to help ensure a 1-1 draw and eventually advancing after penalty kicks. Mexico: El Tri has played like the best team in the tournament, claiming Group A by beating El Salvador 5-0, Cuba 5-0 and Costa Rica 4-1. To reach the quarterfinals, Mexico overcame an early score and posted a pair of second-half goals to eliminate Guatemala, 2-1, in the first round of knockout play. The team also received news it was able to replace up to five players on its roster due to suspensions and illness. Mexico added defenders Héctor Reynoso of Chivas, Paul Aguilar of América and Hiram Mier of Monterrey to its roster.

What history says: Honduras: The Hondurans reached the finals in 1991 and advanced to the semifinals in 2009 before losing to eventual runner-up, the United States. Mexico: The Mexicans are the most successful team in tournament history, claiming a record five titles, including the most recent in 2009.

Keep an eye on: Honduras: Striker Jerry Bengtson has a team-high three goals, collecting two against Grenada and scoring the team's lone goal against Costa Rica. Mexico: Attacker Javier "Chicarito" Hernández has scored a tournament-best six goals and is asserting himself as one of the best players at his position in the world as he also netted the game-winner in the quarterfinals.

To the winner: A spot in the final against the winner of the United States and Panama on June 25 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

United States vs. Panama

How they got here: United States: The heavily favored Yanks played their best game of the tournament in a 2-0 win over Group B winner Jamaica in the quarterfinals. Prior, the Yanks posted a lackluster, 2-0 win over Canada and a sloppy, 1-0 win over Guadeloupe to go along with a disappointing, 2-1 defeat to Panama. Panama: The Canaleros have continued to build on an impressive, 6-5-7 all-time Gold Cup record as they claimed Group C over the heavily favored Americans. The team got by El Salvador on penalty kicks thanks to a late equalizer on a goal mouth scramble to advance to the semifinals. In group play, Panama beat Guadeloupe 3-2, the United States 2-1 and drew Canada 1-1.

What history says: United States: The Americans have four Gold Cups overall, second only to Mexico. The United States also has not beaten Panama by more than a goal in nearly five years. Panama: The team advanced to the knockout round at the Gold Cup for the fourth straight time and reached the finals in 2005 before ultimately losing to the United States on penalty kicks.

"This time is going to be very different from the match we played in the previous stage," Panama coach Julio César Dely Valdes told reporters after defeating El Salvador. "It will be very complicated."

Keep an eye on: United States: Midfielder Jermaine Jones is playing like the elite club player the Yanks thought they acquired when he opted to play for the red, white and blue over Germany. Jones had a goal in the win over Jamaica and was a major reason the United States dominated for most of the game. Panama: Attacker Luis Tejada has been a huge boost for his team, notching three goals - including last-minute equalizers in consecutive games against Canada and El Salvador - to give him eight in his career in the Gold Cup.

To the winner: A spot in the final against the winner of Mexico and Honduras on June 25 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

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