By Raquel Ortiz

CHICAGO -- Showing a face that discreetly hid his obvious satisfaction after an important victory, U.S. coach Bob Bradley was happy that his team had reached its third consecutive Gold Cup final.

And with a reduced roster due to the Confederations Cup, he was partcularly pleased with Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden.

"Stuart is one of the players that for some time has been playing well to reach the national team," Bradley said. "He was called into the team in January but got injured and now is seizing the opportunity."

Gradually, Holden has earned a place in the American team, but he is taking his success humbly.

"Whenever I step on the field, I want to do things in the best possible way," he said. "I like to compete.

"My teammates are doing a good job with the last touch. The effort has been consistent from all of them."

Thursday night's 2-0 result eliminated Honduras from the Gold Cup, and while not satisfied, the Catrachos were not entirely disappointed, and emphasized their effort.

Manager Reinaldo Rueda said that the tournament was valuable for many lessons.

"Although the objective failed, which was to reach the final, I think that we played well and in a dignified way," he said. "We could have been the winners."

"With the exception of Carlo Costly, the rest of the players on this roster were new to the team. Once this tournament is evaluated as to what it was, of course decisions will be made with regard to the next round of (World Cup) qualifying."

Rueda attributed the American victory, the second over Honduras at the Gold Cup in two weeks, to the years of effort the United States has been engage in.

"The key for the United States was to be accurate to score goals," he said. "The United States is reaping what has planted these last years."

Rueda did not identify any individuals for special prace, saying the key to its succes was their group effort.

"The United States team is the product of a great collective teamwork, and that makes it difficult to point out any player as truly outstanding," he said.