U.S. says it's ready for Gold Cup quarters

WASHINGTON - Now that the knockout games are here, the United States team is ready to forget a disappointing CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage.

The U.S. lost to Panama and came out of Group C in second place, setting up a quarterfinal with Jamaica at RFK Stadium on Sunday.

Panama will take on El Salvador in the second match of a quarterfinal doubleheader.

"I think the team is still doing well in the tournament," U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said. "Our original goal was to get to the knockout stages. OK, it didn't come exactly as we wanted, we had the loss against Panama and everyone was disappointed. But we gave ourselves a great opportunity still in the knockout stages, and our ultimate goal is to win this tournament."

The U.S. started the tournament beating Canada, 2-0, then came the 2-1 defeat to Panama - the first-ever U.S. loss in Gold Cup group play. The U.S. clinched the quarterfinal berth with a 1-0 win against Guadeloupe.

The U.S. has been without midfielders Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, who were excused from the training sessions in Washington to attend their weddings.

Both will fly into Washington to be available for the match.

The U.S. has won its last five Gold Cup quarterfinals and never has lost to Jamaica, holding a 9-0-8 record.

Honduras advanced to the Gold Cup semis by beating Costa Rica, 4-2, on penalty kicks in the first game of a doubleheader in East Rutherford, N.J.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored the winner in the 66th minute as Mexico rallied to beat Guatemala, 2-1, in the second game and make the semifinal round.

Sounders 1, Toronto FC 0 - Fredy Montero sent home a free kick late in the second half and the Sounders defeated host Toronto.

Crew 2, Dynamo 0 - Bernardo Anor had a goal and an assist in his first career start for Columbus, and the Crew won at Houston.

Fire 1, Revolution 1 - Chicago's Dominic Oduro and New England's Rajko Lekic tallied in the draw at Foxborough, Mass.

Galaxy 3, Rapids 1 - Juninho and Chad Barnett scored to lead shorthanded Los Angeles past Colorado in Commerce City, Colo.

Real 1, United 1 - Fabian Espindola scored on a first-half penalty kick for Salt Lake and D.C.'s Charles Davies scored off another penalty kick in the second half

at Salt Lake City.