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- Captain America Landon Donovan continued his fight for truth, justice, and the American way with a two goal performance against Honduras. His last goal was the most important, coming seconds after Honduras had pulled within a one goal deficit. The LA Times has the full story, claiming perhaps the time off has directly contributed to Donovan coming back at a higher level. Here's the local take from the Dallas Morning News. The Seattle Times was also high on Donovan's form; Eddie Johnson scored the other goal for the US.
- The United States will face Panama in the Chicago hosted final, after the Central American country pulled off a stunning upset of Mexico. It's only the second time in eleven years that Mexico won't play in the Gold Cup final. Many will blow this off as Mexico sending a B-squad, however that's been the case several times in the history of the Gold Cup when it falls the year before the World Cup. CONCACAF needs the money the tournament generates, however it certainly seems worth considering only having the tournament every four years. The way Mexico has played in this year's Gold Cup, they didn't deserve to be in the final.
- DC United had a big announcement yesterday as well, as there are plans to go forward with a soccer specific stadium down the street from Nationals Park. United fans have been promised an exit from RFK Stadium several times before, so it's understandable if their hopes aren't too high. However, reports seem to indicate the search may be coming to an end. With San Jose opening their ground one team and seventeen years later, and the Tampa Bay Mutiny folded, the New England Revolution would become the only original MLS team without a soccer specific stadium.
- I love it when the local paper where an athlete went to college continues to follow their career. The Bakersfield papers love to talk about the success Gyasi Zardes is having with the Galaxy, and here's the Akron press talking up DeAndre Yedlin. It's the sort of thing common with big colleges and players who go on to have NFL careers, but it's neat seeing smaller schools proud of their soccer programs talking up MLS success.