EAST RUTHERFORD (New Jersey), July 25: United States were taken into a penalty shootout before beating underdogs Panama 3-1 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Sunday. U.S. goalkeeper and captain Kasey Keller saved the first Panama penalty from Luis Tejada before the Central American team’s second attempt from Jorge Luis Dely Valdes hit the bar. Although Panama’s Felipe Baloy managed to score and goalkeeper Jaime Penedo saved a weak effort by Chris Armas, the match was decided when Alberto Blanco blazed over the bar and Brad Davis beat Penedo in the fourth round of penalties. Santino Quaranta and Landon Donovan also scored for the Americans.—Reuters