A look at the four teams that will play in the semifinals of the Gold Cup on Wednesday at the Georgia Dome. The U.S., the defending champs, will play Jamaica at 6 p.m. Mexico will play Panama at 9 p.m.
UNITED STATES
FIFA rank: 34
Best Gold Cup finish (as the Gold Cup, not the tournament that predated it): Winners (2013, 2007, 2005, 2002, 1991)
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
How they reached Atlanta
Def. Honduras 2-1 in group stage
Def. Haiti 1-0 in group stage
Tied Panama 1-1 in group stage
Def. Cuba 6-0 in quarterfinals
Player you should know: Clint Dempsey. He scored three more goals in the rout of Cuba, increasing his tournament-leading total to six. He's scored with his head and he's scored with his feet, making him doubly dangerous for defenders. The partnership with Aron Johannsson seems to be working well for both. Johannsson doesn't mind throwing his body around to create deflections, move people or cause havoc, which frees Dempsey to try to win one-one battles. The duo's movement off the ball works well, something that the U.S. usually doesn't do well when other players are up top.
They will advance if: The defense can somehow put a decent game together. Don't let the rout of Cuba fool you, the U.S. defense either created chances for Cuba with sloppy passes or lack of movement to follow running attackers, or was flat beaten a few times by our island neighbors. Those types of mistakes should be punished, and the U.S. got lucky that Cuba seemed to have its mind on other matters. Jamaica and the rest of the semifinalists won't be so kind, should the U.S. advance to the finals.
JAMAICA
FIFA rank: 76
Best Gold Cup finish: Third place (1993)
Manager: Winfried Schafer
How they reached Atlanta
Tied Costa Rica 2-2 in group stage
Def. Canada 1-0 in group stage
Def. El Salvador 1-0 in group stage
Def. Haiti 1-0 in quarterfinals
Player you should know: Giles Barnes. He has scored 26 goals in four seasons for Houston in MLS and hit the winner from a tight angle to knock out Haiti on Saturday. He's big but moves well, which will be a challenge for whichever centerback pairing from a group of Omar Gonzalez, John Brooks, Ventura Alvarado and Tim Ream that Klinsmann puts together.
They will advance if: They continue to take advantage of their opportunities. Jamaica has scored only five goals in the tournament, but are in the semifinals. They had 15 shots to Haiti's 25, and just six on goal to Haiti's seven (plus one that hit the bar), but still won. The Reggae Boyz will get chances against the U.S. defense, just as every opponent in the tournament has.
MEXICO
FIFA rank: 40
Best Gold Cup finish: Winners (2011, 2009, 2003, 1998, 1996, 1993)
Manager: Miguel Herrera
How they reached Atlanta
Def. Cuba 6-0 in group stage
Tied Guatemala 0-0 in group stage
Tied Trinidad and Tobago 4-4 in group stage
Def. Costa Rica 1-0 in quarterfinals
Player you should know: Andres Guardado. The midfielder is an excellent long-range shooter and has a terrific work ethic. The team's captain has been the most consistent player on a team whose offensive players have been inconsistent.
They will advance if: They can become consistent. Mexico has dominated most of its opponents, but either hasn't been able to put the ball in the net (Costa Rica) or hasn't been able to stop opponents from putting the ball in the net (4-4 tie with Trinidad and Tobago). The team has more technical ability than any in CONCACAF, but it has to put that ability to use. The highlight of Oribe Peralta's play was his dive in the penalty box in the final minutes against Costa Rica. Carlos Vela has also been inconsistent. Hector Herrera hasn't done much, either. Star Giovani dos Santos has battled injuries, but will play.
PANAMA
FIFA rank: 62
Best Gold Cup finish: Runners up (2013, 2005)
Manager: Hernan Dario Gomez
How they reached Atlanta
Tied Haiti 1-1 in group stage
Tied Honduras 1-1 in group stage
Lost to Haiti 1-0 in group stage
Def. Trinidad and Tobago 6-5 in penalty kicks
Player you should know: Blas Perez. The FC Dallas forward can be a pain in the neck for opponents because he pushes the rules as far as he can.
They will advance if: Mexico continues to misfire. Panama has scored only four goals, the fewest of the semifinalists, so Perez and his teammates must score when they get a chance. Perez is physical enough to give Mexico's central defenders headaches, especially considering they haven't handled scuffling players well in the tournament.
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