Baltimore, MD – Landon Donovan scored one goal and helped set up three others as the United States rolled to a 5-1 win over El Salvador in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup on Sunday.
Five different players scored for the Americans, who have won nine straight matches in all competitions, and they will face Honduras in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Honduras advanced in Sunday's other quarterfinal with a 1-0 triumph over Costa Rica as Andy Najar tallied the lone goal in the 49th minute.
Donovan has returned to his creative best at the Gold Cup, and he set up the first goal in the 21st minute with a low cross to Clarence Goodson, who scored on a first-time shot from six yards.
U.S. goalkeeper Nick Rimando produced a fine double save a few minutes later to keep the Americans in front, and Joe Corona doubled the advantage by eluding a defender and slotting his shot inside the left post.
Rodolfo Zelaya brought El Salvador to within a goal before halftime when he drew a foul on DaMarcus Beasley inside the penalty area and converted the subsequent spot kick.
However, the introduction of Eddie Johnson on the hour mark had a big impact for the U.S., and he scored just seconds after stepping onto the field by heading home Donovan's corner kick.
Johnson turned provider in the 78th when his flicked header at midfield released Donovan, who tracked down the ball and rounded the goalkeeper before rolling it into the empty net for a 4-1 U.S. lead.
The scoring was capped six minutes from time when Donovan's right-wing cross was turned home by Mix Diskerud.
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