SOCCER/LATE SATURDAY

special for him," coach Bruce Arena said.

Arena said the plan all along was to have Dempsey enter the semifinal between the 60th and 70th minutes, to provide a spark when legs got heavy.

"He thought it was going to be a tight game, and they'll bring me on late and it'll open up," Dempsey said. "He was right with what he said. It's always going to be a little difficult to try and go 90 three days after going 90 against El Salvador, so I was happy with the decision."

Trying for their sixth Gold Cup title and first since 2013, the Americans play Mexico or Jamaica in the final on Wednesday at Santa Clara, California.

The U.S. improved to 8-0-5 since Arena replaced Jurgen Klinsmann in November and returned for a second stint as national team coach. Arena can become the first coach to win three Gold Cup titles following championships in 2002 and 2005.

Tim Howard got his second straight shutout and 42nd overall for the U.S., making key saves on Marco Urena in the 37th and 71st minutes.

After the second save, Dempsey took a pass from Darlington Nagbe in the center circle, made a cut, and took three touches as he sprinted toward goal. Altidore one-timed a shot for his first national team goal since September and ripped off his No. 27 jersey in a wild celebration, earning a yellow card.

Dempsey's goal sealed the win, putting the U.S. back in the final after a shocking semifinal loss to Jamaica two years ago. He was playing for the first time in AT&T Stadium, the $1.2 billion home stadium of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.

"Look, Clint's ability to impact a game with goals, assists at the highest level is nothing new," American captain Michael Bradley said. "Bruce felt like for tonight his ability to come off the bench and come into a game, that maybe had started to open up a little bit, was going to make a difference and it sure did."

Dempsey said he bought 27 tickets for the game and saw many more people from his hometown.