Yankee doodle dandies

PHILADELPHIA - The United States overcame a battling display from El Salvador on Wednesday to advance to a CONCACAF Gold Cup semi - final showdown with Costa Rica.

First-half goals from defenders Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj secured a hard-fought 2-0 quarterfinal win for the host, which is chasing its first Gold Cup title since 2013.

Bruce Arena's side was made to work all the way by El Salvador, and only some superb saves from Tim Howard kept the Central American side at bay at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.