#TBT Gold Cup in KC

With the Gold Cup returning to Kansas City this coming Monday when Haiti plays Honduras and the US plays Panama I thought this week's Throw Back Thursday I'd go back to the 2011 Gold Cup which was also in KC. The games came a week after the opener at Sporting Park when KC drew with the Chicago Fire. The opener on that day in 2011 saw Canada face Panama. Panama was in control of the group needing just a draw to clinch the top spot after they'd handed the United States their first group stage loss in the tournament's history 2-1 in Tampa. Canada at the time was fighting for a chance to get into the knock out phase needing a win or a draw and some help to qualify. Canada came out and was really the more dominate team throughout the game, but couldn't finish their chances. It wasn't until after the hour mark when Dwayne DeRosario was fouled in the box that Canada finally put the ball in the net. The first goal in the stadium's history went to the Canadian DeRosario. Canada attempted to hold on for the win as the stadium filled with US fans hoping for a win that would leave the door open for them to win the group. It looked like they would hold on for the win as the game entered stoppage time, but Luis Tejada tied the game as Milan Borjan couldn't hold onto the shot as it trickled into the net leading to a 1-1 draw and Panama winning the group.



In the night cap, the US national team faced off against Guadeloupe. Like the first game, one team completely dominated play. This time it was the United States controlling the game for the most part and creating a number of chances. Unlike Canada, the US capitalized on their early chances as Jozy Altidore scored in the 9th minute to make it 1-0 to the US. Unfortunately from there the finishing just didn't for the US. Clint Dempsey especially had a number of chances that he just couldn't put away. The US would hold on for the 1-0 win and advance as the second place team to play Jamaica, who they defeated before getting revenge on Panama before losing in the Gold Cup final to Mexico.