By Mike Slane, Goal.com
DALLAS - There's no stopping Landon Donovan.
The LA Galaxy star had a pair of goals and an assist to guide the Americans to a convincing 3-1 victory over Honduras in the Gold Cup semifinals at Cowboy Stadium on Wednesday night.
The United States - which has outscored its Gold Cup opponents 19-4 - extended its record winning streak to 10 games as it awaits the winner of Panama-Mexico in next Sunday's final at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Eddie Johnson scored the opener for the USA and Donovan twice provided the Stars and Stripes a two-goal lead against Honduras, which gave the host nation a scare early in the second half when Nery Medina scored on a header off a set piece.
Playing with the U.S. 'B' team during the Gold Cup after stepping away from the game last winter, Donovan has likely earned a spot on next summer's World Cup roster after recording seven goals and nine assists in the team's last six matches - five of which were in the CONCACAF tournament.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann made three changes in his lineup from the USA's 5-1 victory over El Salvador in the semifinals on Sunday. Johnson replaced Chris Wondolowski up front, Alejandro Bedoya took over for Joe Corona and Stuart Holden moved ahead of Mix Diskerud in the midfield.
The changes paid off early on.
In just the 11th minute, Johnson worked a combo play with Donovan in the midfield that eventually led to the speedy Seattle Sounders striker finding himself with a clear path to the goal for an easy strike to open up the scoring.
Johnson, who was one of four players named to the Gold Cup roster prior to the knockout stage, now has two goals in two Gold Cup games. As a second-half substitute in the semifinals, it took Johnson just 14 seconds to score against El Salvador.
In the 27th minute, it was Donovan's turn to get on the scoreboard thanks to a quality set up from Bedoya, who had a nice first touch off a long pass before tapping it to Donovan. Staying onside, Donovan played the ball off his chest and slid it past goalkeeper Donis Escober.
The United States dominated throughout, but the Central Americans did manage to cause some concern shortly after halftime.
Medina scored his first international goal in his 10-year career off a set-piece cross from Marvin Chávez in the 52nd minute, but the pressure on the Yanks wouldn't last long.
Donovan quickly answered thanks to another solid play from Bedoya, who received a ball over the top of Honduras' back line before finding the onrushing Donovan at the top of the six-yard box for his second goal of the game.
Donovan was subbed out for Wondolowski in the 72nd minute after playing a role in each of his team's goals.
The United States will hope Donovan continues his leadership in the final, especially since Klinsmann may not be on the sideline after getting booted out of the game for arguing a foul on DaMarcus Beasley right in front of the U.S. bench.
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