The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals -- played on June 21, 2007 – proved to be two of the most thrilling final-four encounters in the competition’s history.

More than 50,000 fans gathered at Soldier Field in Chicago for an evening of high drama.

Canada 1, USA 2
In the opener, the United States topped Canada, 2-1, but it wasn’t easy.

The Americans took a 2-0 lead into half-time on goals by Frankie Hejduk (39’) and Landon Donovan (45’+1 pen).  Hejduk struck from 23-yards out with his right foot off a Landon Donovan assist, while Donovan converted from the penalty spot for his 33rd all-time goal after DaMarcus Beasley was fouled in the box by goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

Iain Hume halved the deficit for Canada in the 76th minute, when he was able to create separation from defender Carlos Bocanegra and, from the top-right side of the box, fire a left-footed shot inside the far post.

In the dying seconds of stoppage time, Canada thought it equalized, but Atiba Hutchinson’s goal was disallowed for offside. 

Guadeloupe 0, Mexico 1
In the nightcap, Guadeloupe’s dream of reaching the final was denied as Mexico posted a narrow 1-0 victory on what was one of the best goals in Gold Cup history.

After being thwarted by uneven finishing and some excellent goalkeeping by Franck Grandel, Pavel Pardo settled matter in the 70th minute.

The Stuttgart standout received a rolling pass from the left by Fernando Arce, took two quick touches and -- before being closed down – curled with the outside of his right foot a shot into the upper-right corner of the net.

2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup – Semifinal #1
June 21, 2007: Soldier Field – Chicago, Illinois, USA
Canada-USA 1-2 (0-2)
Frankie Hejduk 39’; Landon Donovan 45’+1 pen / Iain Hume 76’

Canada: Pat Onstad; Ante Jazic, Andre Hainault, Richard Hastings, Paul Stalteri, Julian de Guzman, Ali Gerba (Issey Nakajima-Farran 81’),  Atiba Hutchinson, Dwayne De Rosario, Patrick Bernier, Martin Nash (Iain Hume 64’). Head Coach: Stephen Hart

USA: Kasey Keller; Carlos Bocanegra, Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Bornstein, Michael Bradley, Pablo Mastroeni (Ricardo Clark 89’), Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Eddie Johnson (Benny Feilhaber 80’), Clint Dempsey (Taylor Twellman 88’). Head Coach: Bob Bradley

R: Benito Archundia

2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup – Semifinal #2
June 21, 2007: Soldier Field – Chicago, Illinois, USA
Guadeloupe-Mexico 0-1 (0-0)
Pavel Pardo 70’

Guadeloupe: Franck Grandel; Miguel Comminges, Alain Vertot, David Sommeil, Jocelyn Angloma, Mickael Tacalfred, Stephane Auvray, Aurelien Capoue, Richard Socrier (Cedrick Fiston 78’), David Fleurival (Jean Luc Lambourde 89’), Loic Loval (Fabien Raddas 82’). Head Coach: Roger Salnot

Mexico: Oswaldo Sanchez; Francisco Rodriguez, Jonny Magallon, Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio, Gerardo Torrado (Fernando Arce 70’), Alberto Medina, Pavel Pardo, Andres Guardado (Adolfo Bautista 46’), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Omar Bravo 85’), Jared Borgetti. Head Coach: Hugo Sanchez 

R: Roberto Moreno (Panama