#OTD July 21: A Victorious Day in U.S. MNT Gold Cup History

With two semifinal advancements and a quarterfinal thrashing, July 21 is a pretty historic day in U.S. MNT Gold Cup history…

#OTD 1993: U.S. MNT downs Costa Rica to advance to Gold Cup Final

In a game the U.S. largely dominated, the side saw chance after chance either well-saved by Costa Rica goalkeeper Erick Lonnis or go begging just wide of goal, forcing extra time at The Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

In the golden goal period, both teams had early opportunities to advance to the tournament final in Mexico City, but the sudden death winner would come from one of the most unlikely of sources.

A quick restart on the right saw Cobi Jones lay off for Roy Wegerle, whose deflected cross fell perfectly for center back Cle Kooiman. The Cruz Azul defender one-timed the cross out of the air, smashing it past Lonnis in the 103rd minute to send the U.S. to a second consecutive Gold Cup final. 

#OTD 2005: U.S. MNT comes back with 2-1 semifinal win against Honduras

The U.S. stared semifinal elimination straight in the face in this match after Honduras midfielder Ivan Guerrero gave Los Catrachos  a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.

Things appeared to get worse when U.S. head coach Bruce Arena was sent off for complaining about a foul on Chris Armas in the 59th minute. With his assistant Glenn “Mooch” Myernick in charge, the U.S. left the equalizer late as Oguchi Onyewu’s ball over the top found Landon Donovan in the box. The young forward laid off for John O’Brien on his right, who finished from close range in the 86th minute.

Just as it looked the match would head to extra time, Donovan’s free kick from the right picked out Onyewu whose diving header beat Honduras ‘keeper Victor Coello to give the U.S. a 2-1 win in the 92nd minute.

#OTD 2013: U.S. routs El Salvador 5-1 in Gold Cup quarterfinal

In a similar display to the team’s 6-0 victory against Cuba on Saturday in Baltimore, the MNT ran out to a 1-0 lead when Clarence Goodson buried a Landon Donovan cross in the 21st minute. Eight minutes later, Joe Corona buried his effort from the top of the box to make it 2-0.

While El Salvador pulled one back through Rodolfo Zelaya’s spot kick in the 39th minute, Eddie Johnson, Donovan and Mix Diskerud all added second half strikes to give the U.S. a 5-1 victory.