Gold Cup 2013: USA Shows Merit in Semifinals Victory over Honduras

Those who have followed the United States national team throughout the years have been hesitant to crown the Americans in the 2013 Gold Cup.

After all, USA hasn't won the Gold Cup since 2007 and hasn't advanced past the Round of 16 in the World Cup since 2002. 

And those haunted souls have made sure not to be too excited about USA's run in the 2013 Gold Cup, citing such things as inferior competition and so on.

But, make no mistake about it, USA's resounding 3-1 victory over Honduras in the semifinals of the Gold Cup on Wednesday should solidify the fact that the Americans are beginning to look mighty dangerous, even if Honduras is ranked No. 55 in the world by FIFA. 

U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan was quick to point out the threat posed by Honduras before the semifinals clash on Wednesday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He stressed that Honduras would be sitting back much like Belize, Cuba, Costa Rica and El Salvador did, but that they would also create more pressure than the American defense had witnessed in the tournament, as Leander Schaerlaeckens of Fox Sports noted.

And that Honduras did.

While USA ended up controlling the ball for 55 percent of the match on Wednesday, according to the MLS website, that was a much smaller number than the side had regularly posted against other foes in the 2013 Gold Cup. For example, against El Salvador in the quarterfinals, the Americans held possession for 70 percent of the match.

With USA regularly seeing heavy traffic from Honduras on the pitch, the Americans were forced to do something they hadn't had to do for much of the Gold Cup: create opportunities by lofting aerial balls over the opposing defense.

Well, USA was up for the challenge. 

Whether it was Eddie Johnson heading the ball to Alejando Bedoya—who then clipped it over the defense for Donovan—or a long ball by Clarence Goodson—which found Bedoya, who swung it to Donovan in front of net—two of USA's three goals were created by precise lofts to win the match on Wednesday.

At this point, harping on the inferior competition the Americans have faced is ignoring the fact that many of USA's attacks would probably defeat some much tougher defenses anyway. The passing is technical, the ability to rise to the moment is evident and the star power on the pitch is only trumped by the teamwork that is prevalent.

Even after Honduran Nery Media narrowed the American lead to one goal with a netter off a free kick from Marvin Chavez in the 53rd minute, USA answered back just a minute later off of Goodson's long ball. This American team does not let up. In fact, it bounces back quite well.

While Donovan has obviously been the best player for the Americans in the 2013 Gold Cup, there have been an array of players who have stepped up, from Chris Wondolowski in the early going to Eddie Johnson in the last two matches.

One thing's for sure: Team X better be ready for a challenge in the final on Sunday in Chicago.