The US national team have defeated Panama 2-1 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals thanks to a Kenny Cooper penalty.

Blas Perez put Panama in front in the 45th minute at the Lincoln Financial Field before USA's Kyle Beckerman equalised three minutes after the break.

The match then remained at 1-1 until the first half of extra-time when Cooper stepped up to the spot and scored the eventual winner.

"Obviously, it's fortunate any time you can get a penalty," the 24-year old said after wards.

"It obviously came at a good time in overtime. Fortunately, it snuck in and the guys did great to hold on defensively, the whole 90 [minutes], everyone from Brian Ching to Troy Perkins. It was excellent and they busted their butts. Fortunately we were able to hold on and walk away with the win.

"Obviously from the beginning of the game everyone was hungry to do well and we all are excited to be involved here and have the opportunity to be in the quarterfinal and want to do well. The team had to work hard tonight to come through and we're advancing now and we're all hungry to do well in the semifinals."