CHICAGO -- Brek Shea sure knows how to make an entrance. Just 42 seconds after coming into the game as a substitute Sunday, Shea pounced after Landon Donovan whiffed a shot and poked the ball into the net. His goal in the 69th minute gave the United States a 1-0 victory over Panama and the CONCACAF Gold Cup title. It is the fifth Gold Cup title for the Americans, but their first since 2007. It also is the first international title as a coach for Jurgen Klinsmann, who won the 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Championship with Germany. "It doesnt matter who scored today," Shea said. "We won." The U.S. is doing a lot of that lately. This was the 11th straight victory for the Americans, four more than their previous record, and they likely will leapfrog Mexico as the best team from the North and Central America and Caribbean region when the next FIFA rankings come out Aug. 8. When the final whistle sounded, the Americans on the field began celebrating while the rest of the team raced off the bench. Several players jumped up and down, and hugs and high-fives were exchanged. Klinsmann, who watched the game from a luxury box after being suspended for his tirade over the officiating in the semifinal, quickly made his way down to the field, pumping his fists in the air as he walked. "They wanted to send out a signal that they are the best group in CONCACAF, and they are," Klinsmann said. "For today." But their performance in this tournament is likely to stay with the Americans for a while. At least until the next round of World Cup qualifying in September. Not only did they outscore opponents 20-4 in the tournament -- no other team had more than 11 goals -- but they showed they are deeper than theyve ever been, with one young player after another stepping up. And one veteran, too. Despite his big whiff, Donovan was selected the tournament MVP. He finished with five goals and seven assists, a particularly impressive performance considering it followed a four-month sabbatical over the winter that cost him his place on the national team. "In terms of just having fun, its up there," Donovan said. "Im just enjoying being part of it, I really am." Though Klinsmann picks his roster based on form, not reputation, he acknowledged it would be almost impossible to leave Donovan off the roster for the next round of qualifying. "He deserves every compliment for this tournament," Klinsmann said. The only disappointment for the Americans was the loss of Stuart Holden with another right knee injury. Holden sprained his knee early in the first half, and while he will have further tests, Klinsmann said after the game that "its not looking good." "We are very, very sad for him," Klinsmann said. "We are very concerned about Stueys situation. It looks like a very serious knee injury." While most expected a Mexico-US final, Panama had other ideas, upsetting El Tri twice on the strength of its stingy defence. Panama was just as dogged against the Americans early, crowding Donovan and Eddie Johnson and not giving the U.S. any space. But rather than taking wild shots or trying to force things, the Americans stayed patient. "At times it may have been a little slow or been going back and forth, but we stuck to the game plan," Besler said. And as the game went on, the Americans began to break Panama down. They finished with three shots on goal and another eight that were off target -- six in the second half alone. Their best chance came in the 56th minute, DaMarcus Beasley chipped a ball into Donovan, who was in front of the goal at the near post. Donovan got his head on the ball, but not at the angle he wanted and it flew wide of the net. As the crowd groaned, Donovan threw back his head and Beasley swatted the red flag in the corner. "We were all hopeful, we all wanted to win," Panama coach Julio Dely Valdez said. "But we all go away feeling we gave it our all. I said I wanted to walk away from the Gold Cup feeling good, and I do." Shea replaced Joe Corona in the 68th minute, just as the Americans were pressing forward again. Alejandro Bedoya got the ball on his left foot and crossed to Donovan, who took a mighty swing -- and missed. But it was enough to throw goalkeeper Jaime Pendeo off, and when the ball rolled past Panamas Roberto Chen and on toward the net, Shea was ready. Parked inches from the goal line, Shea stuck out his left foot and tapped the ball into the net for his second international goal. "I was there just to put it away," he said. Asked if it was the quickest goal hed ever had or the closest, Shea replied, "Easiest." The Americans had a chance to double the lead in the 84th minute when Shea fed a wide-open Eddie Johnson 2 yards from the goal. But Johnson couldnt finish it, sending the ball flying over the cross bar. But it didnt matter as Panama never threatened. "I think they were rewarded today for the fantastic Gold Cup they played," Klinsmann said. "They put all their energy in that they had. They should be very, very proud of themselves." Ichiro Suzuki Jersey . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. Matt Festa Mariners Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. https://www.cheapmariners.com/1165k-norm-charlton-jersey-mariners.html . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Custom Seattle Mariners Jerseys . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Pat Borders Jersey . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. England are set to spring a selection surprise for Saturdays autumn opener against South Africa by naming Elliot Daly at outside centre in place of Jonathan Joseph.PA Sport understands Daly is poised to make his first Test start after winning five caps as a replacement, forming a new midfield partnership with Owen Farrell that will provide two long-range kicking options.Joseph -- demoted to the bench for the visit of the Springboks to Twickenham -- had been struggling with a minor groin injury, but the Bath three-quarter was on Wednesday declared fully fit by scrum coach Neal Hatley.Jonathan trained on Tuesday and will be able to train on Thursday as well, Hatley said.England name their starting XV on Thursday morning and if, as expected, Daly is the preferred option, it will be the first time Joseph has been dropped since re-establishing himself during the 2015 RBS 6 Nations.Daly was one of the Aviva Premierships form players last season with his acceleration and eye for an outside break terrorising defences to Wasps benefit.Despite Dalys form, head coach Eddie Jones opted to retain Joseph for this years Six Nations, and, for all his dynamism in open play, it might be the 24-year-olds long-range left boot that has resulted in his promotion to the starting XV.Meanwhile, Hatley insists Mako Vunipolas rapid set-piece improvement has transformed him into the complete player.Alex Corbisiero, a distinguished predecessor in the Red Rose number one jersey, has acclaimed Vunipola as the best loosehead in world rugby on the strength of a rampaging start to the season at Saracens.While the impacct in open play of Englands form player has never been doubt, his scrummaging was considered a potential weakness until the recent progress brought about by a technical adjustment.ddddddddddddMako has been absolutely outstanding for Saracens in the first half of the season, Hatley said.There arent many props in world rugby that can do what he does with the ball in hand.His set-piece has come on immeasurably.Sometimes people get pigeon-holed as a carrying prop or a scrummaging prop and I think he crosses that divide.Hes been very sound from a set-piece point of view. Weve made a few little technical changes to his bind and thats had a real positive effect.There are a lot of good players around, but hes definitely getting there in terms of being the best loosehead in the world. If Corbs said that, its a pretty good endorsement.South Africa are experiencing their worst run of results for a decade, including a record home defeat to New Zealand, but Hatley insists their threat must not be underestimated.They will probably go with a big pack and a big back five in the way theyve tried to do for most of the year. It will be a good side, Hatley said.They have been a state of flux, but when theyve played well they have been very impressive. The Lions did well in Super Rugby. Were expecting a good side to turn up.They have a very good scrum and will probably load up on that back five. There will be big bulk there so it will be a testing day from a scrum point of view. ' ' '
