SOCCER / GOLD CUP : United States Beats Honduras, Reaches Semifinals

Alexi Lalas scored during the first half Saturday night and his teammates made it stand up as the United States defeated Honduras, 1-0, to gain a berth in the semifinals of the Gold Cup soccer tournament.

Lalas moved up from his position on defense and flicked a header into the right side of the net in the 29th minute. Chris Henderson’s corner kick started the play.

“Nobody’s going to look at my goal and say it was the prettiest they’ve ever seen, except for my mom,” Lalas said. “It was a perfect corner, and that made my job easier. All I had to do was get to the position and let the ball hit my head.”

The U.S. team, unbeaten with six points in Group A, will meet the runner-up of Group B, being played in Mexico City, on Wednesday at the Cotton Bowl.

The Group winners will then play for the Gold Cup title on Sunday at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The United States, defending Gold Cup champion, and Mexico are favored to reach the final.

“Our objective was to go to Mexico, and I hope that goal will be accomplished,” U.S. Coach Bora Milutinovic said. “I hope we run into Mexico in the finals.”

A key to the U.S. victory was the ability of its defense to hold down Honduran forward Eduardo Bennett, who scored four goals in the first two games to lead Group A scorers.

In an earlier game, a goal by midfielder Paul Davis in the 76th minute lifted Jamaica to a 1-1 tie with Panama, giving Jamaica a berth in the semifinals against the Group B winner. Jamaica (1-1-1) finished second in Dallas.

Panama (0-3-0) was eliminated.

Davis, who missed on two other scoring chances during the second half, tipped a centering pass from Devon Jarrett past Panama goalkeeper Ricardo James.

Each team managed only seven shots during a sluggish first half. Panama broke through in the 50th minute, Rene Mendieta beating Jamaican goalkeeper Warren Barrett on a penalty kick.

Davis earlier hit the right outside of the net with James out of position in the 48th minute, then had his header hit the right post in the 62nd minute.

Both teams appeared tired in the first half, during which temperatures were in the high 90s.