Sports

Shea’s stadium as U.S. wins Gold Cup

CHICAGO — Break Shea sure knows how to make an entrance.

Just 42 seconds after coming into the game as a substitute yesterday, 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.

“It doesn’t 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 in the next FIFA rankings.

When the final whistle sounded, 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 to celebrate.

“They wanted to send out a signal that they are the best group in CONCACAF, and they are,” Klinsmann said. “For today.”

Not only did the Americans outscore opponents 20-4 in the tournament — no other team had more than 11 goals — but they showed they are deeper than they’ve ever been, with one young player after another stepping up.

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.

“In terms of just having fun, it’s up there,” Donovan said.