Kyle Beckerman also scored for the United States to help the Americans extend theirs home unbeaten streak against CONCACAF opponents to 57 games.
The United States has eliminated Panama in the knockout stage of the tournament three straight times, and needs just two more wins to match Mexico as the only team to capture three consecutive Gold Cups.
The United States advanced to the semifinals to play Honduras, which won the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, beating Canada 1-0 on a penalty kick by Walter Martinez.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.