AMERICANS PANNING FOR GOLD.Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer PASADENA - It wasn't long after the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. beat Canada to advance to the CONCACAF CONCACAF Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Soccer) CONCACAF Confederacion Norte, Centroamericana y del Caribe de Futbol Asociacion (Spanish) Gold Cup championship today against Costa Rica Costa Rica (kŏs`tə rē`kə), officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,016,000), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. at the Rose Bowl that coach Bruce Arena Bruce Arena (born September 21, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American soccer coach, currently Head Coach and Sporting Director for Red Bull New York of Major League Soccer and the former coach of the United States men's national soccer team. found himself answering the same questions. The U.S. team gave young Canadian goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld Lars Hirschfeld (born on October 17, 1978 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian football goalkeeper. Hirschfeld currently plays for Rosenborg B.K. in the Norwegian Premier League. He started his career with the Edmonton Drillers, playing indoor soccer. a workout but couldn't score in 120 minutes of regulation and overtime during Wednesday's semifinal against the defending champions. The United States finally outlasted Canada in the penalty shootout
A penalty shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches which would have otherwise been drawn or tied. 4-2, after outshooting the Canadians 36-10 during the match. Even though Hirschfeld played a spectacular game, a reporter suggested to Arena that his team should have been able to score against an amateur goalkeeper from Canada's under-23 team. ``Whatever,'' said Arena, drawing some laughter around the room. With a four-game winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" in the tournament, Arena has found little about which to complain. ``I think you get concerned when you don't create chances,'' he said. ``We certainly created a lot of them.'' The U.S. now is in position to capture its first Gold Cup title since 1991 and can do it with a mostly Major League Soccer-based roster. ``I think the attitude that this group of players has brought to our team is outstanding,'' Arena said. ``I'm hopeful our European-based players can learn from this. ``Since we're in the final, it's important to win it. We probably didn't think we would end up here, given the fact we came here with a relatively new group of players. But they've gotten better with each game, so I like their chances.'' Brian McBride For other people of the same name, see . Brian McBride (born June 19, 1972) is a football striker who has appeared in three World Cups for the United States national team and is currently captain of Fulham F.C. of the English Premier League. leads the tournament with four goals, but 19-year-old Landon Donovan is proving to be the phenom many have predicted. He has been playing an attacking midfield role for the first time and has performed well at a complex position. ``We're playing him (Donovan) out of position, but he's grown with each game,'' Arena said. ``He's a 19-year-old playing fearless and confident.'' Costa Rica (3-0-1) certainly will be the Americans' biggest test and has called in its full team, including Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope, who scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over Korea in the other semifinal. U.S. vs. COSTA RICA What: CONCACAF Gold Cup final When: Today, noon Where: Rose Bowl TV: Ch. 34 Also: Canada will play South Korea in the third-place game at 10 a.m. CAPTION(S): box Box: U.S. vs. COSTA RICA (see text) |
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