PHILADELPHIA -- Just call it "50 Shades of Soccer." Wednesday's Gold Cup quarterfinal between the U.S. and El Salvador had just about everything. There was biting, nipple twisting and, oh, a couple of U.S. goals in a 2-0 win for the home side.

Yep, just another night in CONCACAF.

Jozy Altidore was the recipient of most of the unwanted advances, including a bite from El Salvador defender Henry Romero in the 59th minute. Romero later twisted Altidore's nipple, and both actions had the effect of incapacitating...

PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. men's national team is headed to the semifinals of the 2017 Gold Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory over El Salvador. First-half goals from Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj gave the U.S. the lead it needed, despite a few anxious moments in the second half.

Here are three thoughts from the Americans' victory.

1. U.S. keeps emotions in check to advance

For the majority of the first half, the style and emotion fit El Salvador's game plan. There were plenty of off-the-ball shenanigans,...

SANDY, Utah -- Manchester United spent just over 10 hours in Salt Lake City on Monday, but with Juan Mata injured and Antonio Valencia sent off for dangerous play during the victory over Real Salt Lake, Jose Mourinho must have flown back to the team's Los Angeles base wondering whether it was a trip worth making.

After all, this game was United's second in the space of 48 hours, following Saturday's 5-2 victory over LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center.

On Thursday, United face neighbours Manchester...

SAN ANTONIO -- Mexico finished top of Group C in the Gold Cup thanks to its 2-0 victory over Curacao in front of 44,232 in the Alamodome in San Antonio. Angel Sepulveda opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, with Edson Alvarez wrapping up the scoring in second-half injury time.

The win sets up a quarterfinal against Honduras on Thursday in Phoenix. Here are three takes from the match:

1. Corona stars in goal for El Tri

The fact Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona was the man of the match tells...

CLEVELAND -- As Alejandro Bedoya slowly walked toward the team bus, it was evident that his day's work had come at a physical cost. "I got whacked on that first assist, so my ankle is feeling it," he said.

But there was a payoff, too. Bedoya, operating as the U.S. team's box-to-box midfielder, set up goals for Joe Corona and Kelyn Rowe, plays that proved critical in the Americans' 3-0 win over Nicaragua on Saturday night. The result enabled the U.S. to finish the first round of the Gold Cup atop...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The U.S. men's national team defeated Nicaragua 3-0 on Saturday to end the Gold Cup group stage on a positive note and claim first place in Group B. Joe Corona opened the scoring in the 36th minute while Kelyn Rowe added another in the 56th minute. With the U.S. needing a goal to leapfrog Panama in Group B, it was left to Matt Miazga to get the vital tally in the 88th minute.

Here are three thoughts on the match.

1. U.S gets the job done

Following Panama's 3-0 win over...