USA Advances in Qualifying

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Although the United States advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament before it even stepped on the pitch Saturday, it still had plenty to prove against Honduras.

Eddie Gaven scored the lone goal on a penalty kick in the 95th minute as the U.S. secured a first-place finish in Group A with a 1-0 victory over Honduras at Raymond James Stadium. The United States (2-0-1), which already had punched its ticket to the next round when Panama defeated Cuba earlier in the day, awaits the Group B second-place finisher on Thursday.

The Americans will face either Haiti, Canada (0-1-1) or Mexico (0-1-1), while Honduras (2-1-0) will face Group B first-place finisher Guatemala (2-0-0). Group B completes first-round action Sunday, when Guatemala faces Canada and Mexico squares off against Haiti.