Tim Howard kept a clean sheet for the USA tonight as they eased into the semi-finals of the Gold Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Jamaica.The quarter-final clash pitted the US against the Reggae Boyz and the USA were handed the advantage of home support - the game was played in Washington D.C. Ex-Everton loanee Landon Donovan only arrived in Washington in the early hours of the morning after attending a wedding and so was rested on the bench - the first time since June 2007.
Everton goalkeeper Howard made a fantastic early save to prevent the US from falling behind, diving magnificently to deny Jamaican forward Ryan Johnson.
The first period was a cautious affair but the breakthrough came shortly after half-time courtesy of Blackburn's Jermaine Jones, whose long-range effort took a huge deflection before finding its way into the net. Donovan entered the fray on 66 minutes and Fulham's Clint Dempsey doubled the USA's lead on 80.
Just before the end Tim Howard made another excellent save to protect the two-goal cushion and the game finished 2-0, meaning that the US progress into the semi-final stage.
The USA will come up against Panama, who beat El Salvador in their quarter final, and will try to exact revenge for their shock defeat in the group stage. Should Tim Howard's international side be victorious, they will meet either Honduras or Mexico in the final on June 25th.
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