TAMPA — The under-23 match between the United States and Honduras was a matter of sorting out who would finish first in Group A.
And a goal by Eddie Gaven from a penalty kick in the 95th minute gave the United States a 1-0 victory and first in the group.
Both teams knew they were going to advance to Nashville next week for the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.
Honduras entered the game played before an announced crowd of 10,974 at Raymond James Stadium with six points from two victories while the United States entered with four points from one victory and a tie. Saturday's victory gives them seven points.
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The United States had a chance to take the lead in the 62nd minute but Charlie Davies missed from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded when Davies was brought down in the penalty area.
In the 77th-minute a semi-streaker ran onto the field. She wore a skimpy bikini and drew some of the loudest cheers of the game.
Ramon Nunez of Honduras hit the cross bar with a strong left-footed shot in the 85th minute.
In the fifth and final minute of added time the United States was awarded a second penalty kick and Gaven did not miss this time.
Neither Marvell Wynne nor Maurice Edu of Major League Soccer's Toronto FC played Saturday night for the United States. Edu started both of the previous games, the first at midfield and the second at centre back. Wynne started the second game at right back.
Freddy Adu who scored both U.S. goals in the first two games also did not play. Nor did striker Jozy Altidore.
In the early game, Panama defeated Cuba 4-1. Cuba field the normal 11-player lineup this time but had no substitutions because of seven defections earlier in the week after a 1-1 tie with the United States on Tuesday.
Cuba went with 10 players in Thursday's 2-0 loss to Honduras because Roberto Linares received a red card in the match against the United States and a one-game suspension went with it.
Panama finished with three points in the round-robin tournament and Cuba finished with one point.
