[REACTION] U.S. players admitted Panama was again a hard team to break down in their rematch, but they said they played much better the second time. For what Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Freddy Adu, who teamed up for the winning goal, had to say ...

Clint Dempsey:

"It was a frustrating match in the sense that it was real tight. We found it difficult trying to get the ball in between lines. They were a very organized team. That’ s why they are in the semifinals. I think we showed our quality in being able to grind out a result even when it wasn’t our best game, and now we find ourselves in the final."

On the goal:
“It was a great ball from Freddy [Adu] to open up Landon [Donovan]. Once Landon gets in those positions, he normally finds a player. All I had to do was try to put myself in a position that he could find me. I felt far post was the way to go. He hit it hard and low, and all I had to do was put my foot on it. That’s why after the goal I tried to go and celebrate with him, because without that pass there was no goal.”

On playing in his home state of Texas:
“This is where it all started for me in Texas, in the small town of Nacogdoches. Being able to represent my country is something I dreamed about as a kid. It means a lot to be able to come back to Texas and play. It always feels great. The most important thing is that we are playing in a semifinal here, and that made it a little bit sweeter.”

On celebrating the goal with Landon Donovan:
“In the first game, he got an assist as well to Jozy [Altidore]. This was his second assist in the tournament. He’s been playing non-stop for a long time and doing it consistently at the highest level. He’s a top quality player. He’s a guy you always want next to you in a big game, and he proved his worth tonight by being able to keep his calm in that position in the final third and being able to find that pass. I just wanted to show my appreciation to him for being able to find me in that spot and get the goal that put us in the final.”

Landon Donovan:

“The game was a little difficult. We did a pretty good job of creating chances playing against a really good team. Your role as a substitute is to make an impact. Freddy and I were able to combine well and make the play that won the game.”

On whether team has improved since the loss to Panama:
“We are playing a lot better. Sometimes it’s good to get a wake-up call. We’ve said all along that this tournament is a marathon. You can’t get too caught up in one result or one performance. You have to keep getting better as the tournament goes on, and now we find ourselves in the final with a chance to win it.”

On the goal:
“It was a good play. We got out of our end well. I made a run forward and I wasn’t sure that Freddy saw me, but he played a great ball. My first thought was to hit it first time to Clint, but I saw the defender back off so I wanted to be aggressive. I ran at him, and Clint and I made good eye contact. I knew if it was going to get there I had to hit it hard. Clint made a great play to get his foot on it.”

On whether he was surprised to be a reserve:
“Not surprised at all. Bob and I spoke about it all week. Throughout the years, we’ve always been very open and honest with our communication, so there’s nothing left to the imagination. We spoke about it and agreed that the team played very well the other night. I’ve certainly been the beneficiary of playing well, the team playing well and you staying in the team. It’s been that way my whole career. We were on the same page, and I wanted to make sure that when I came in I could make an impact.”

Freddy Adu:

On getting the opportunity to play:
”It was very important for me, personally, and very important for the team. I haven’t stepped on the field for the national team in over two years. To get a chance to be out there, I was very happy and very fortunate. The goal as a substitute is to get out there and bring a lot of energy and make a difference. It worked out well.”

On the pass that led to the goal:
“We’ve had some similar plays in training. Landon is a player that knows the right runs to make. I had seen him before I got the ball, and had to put the ball in his path and I knew he was going to get there.”