Fans cheer for the U.S. soccer team during the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final match against Panama at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on June 16. - reuters

miami, florida (reuters)

Gold Cup holders and hosts United States are aiming for their sixth final in the competition when they play North American rivals Canada in the semi-final today.

Bob Bradley's side, who have a 100 per cent record in the tournament and have conceded just one goal on their way to the last four, start as favourites in a repeat of the 2002 semi-final which they won on penalties.

A 2-1 victory over Panama took the United States through to today's game in Chicago while Canada appear to have hit their best form at just the right time with a confident 3-0 victory over Guatemala.

Canada have one Gold Cup title from their triumph in 2000 when they beat Colombia in the final, while the United States have three wins.

Postive football

The U.S. team have been playing a more fluid and positive football since Bradley took over from Bruce Arena after last year's World Cup and striker Landon Donovan, who will be a teammate of David Beckham's at LA Galaxy, is enjoying greater freedom to roam the front line.

Donovan is benefiting from the creativity from PSV Eindhoven's DaMarcus Beasley and Fulham's Clint Dempsey who are both expected to start in midfield.

Canada have long been overshadowed by their neighbours but look to be finally delivering on their potential. Striker Ali Gerba and attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario have been the most impressive performers so far.

"Obviously, the U.S. are a very good team and are playing on their home soil, but we have nothing to fear," Canada keeper Pat Onstad told the National Post.

"If we go out and play the same way we have this tournament, we've got just as much of a right to be in this park as they do," he added.

Onstad, 39, has returned to the Canada side after a three- year absence but is not the oldest player in the semi-finals. Guadeloupe midfielder Jocelyn Angloma, who will face Mexico in the other semi-final, is 41.

Mexico to go through

The former French international came out of retirement last year and was allowed to play for his birthplace as Guadeloupe is not a FIFA member given its status as a region of France.

Angloma scored in his team's surprise win over Honduras in the quarter-finals, a victory which took Guadeloupe through to the last four in their first Gold Cup campaign.

Hugo Sanchez's Mexico have yet to play to their full potential but will expect to go through to the final.