With Gold Cup Rewind, CONCACAF.com looks back -- in video and words -- at some of the Gold Cup’s greatest games, moments and players. The series continues Thursday with the 2007 final between the United States and Mexico.
Goal-scoring heroes in CONCACAF Gold Cup finals can come in all shapes, sizes and experience.
Take, for example, Benny Feilhaber, who tallied the game-winning goal for the United States in its 2-1 triumph over archrival Mexico in the 2007 Gold Cup decider at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The then 22-year-old midfielder had scored once in eight previous international appearances, before breaking a 1-1 deadlock in the 73rd minute with one of the most famous goals in the competition’s history, giving the Americans a second consecutive Gold Cup crown.
Feilhaber scored off a 22-yard volley from a poor clearance.
Andres Guardado had put Mexico ahead 1-0 in the 18th minute, before Landon Donovan converted a 62nd-minute penalty kick to level the match and tie him with Eric Wynalda for the USA’s all-time scoring lead with 34 goals apiece.
Donovan called the goal “unbelievable. I was wide and a little bit right and as it came I was going, ‘Don’t shoot it.’ Maybe it’s one in a thousand he scores that goal.”
Added Feilhaber: “At such a stage against Mexico, it’s incredible.”
After Feilhaber’s heroics, there were still some nail-biting moments. DaMarcus Beasley and Brian Ching hit the woodwork for the U.S., while goalkeeper Tim Howard was forced to make a point-blank save on Adolfo Bautista’s eight-yard shot in the 89th minute.
“It was nice to win the Gold Cup, but it’s a little sweeter when we beat Mexico,” finished U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra.
