Did Panama making the Concacaf Gold Cup final surprise you? It should have. Since the first Gold Cup, in 1991, the tournament has not been kind to smaller teams. Which is to say that out of 11 tournaments, Mexico have won six and the USA have won four. Still, despite the ever-present shadow of those two Goliaths, a few Davids have gone on memorable runs. Here are the best:

1991: Catrachos come oh so close

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In 1991, Concacaf introduced the Gold Cup and, to the shock of many, the USA knocked out Mexico in the semifinal. Even more surprising, though, was the run of Honduras. At the time, the Gold Cup only featured eight teams. The Catrachos actually topped their group ahead of Mexico, thanks to goal difference. In the semifinals, they comfortably beat Costa Rica, 2-0. In the final, they faced a relatively inexperienced US team.

The game was tense and scrappy, though only two yellow cards were issued. Both teams lacked the ingenuity in midfield to break down the opposing defense. Even worse, both teams' strikers squandered the handful of chances that were created. Regulation time ended 0-0, as did extra-time. Tired legs and penalty kicks beckoned. The US choked from the spot: only two out of the five kickers converted. But Honduras matched them choke-for-choke. In a moment that still makes my head hurt, each team's sixth kicker failed to convert. In slot seven, Dominic Kinnear held his nerve and scored for the US. So did Honduras' Luis Vallejo. Finally, mercifully, Fernando Clavijo converted for the US and Juan Espinoza did not for Honduras.

The US won their first title in the most boring fashion possible: attrition by penalty kick. Conversely, Honduras had come so close – literally a kick of the ball from the title.

2000: Canada claim the crown

Nine years later, the US and Mexico were established as tournament favorites. In fact, not even guest Brazil could knock off the North American heavyweights. Rather, the first (and thus far only) team other than the US and Mexico to win the Gold Cup was none other than Canada. Somewhat oddly, Canada only advanced out of the group stages by coin toss. What? Yes, that's right. All their group games ended in ties. As in, every team tied every other team. Costa Rica topped the group thanks to goals scored (they also conceded the most goals). So Canada and South Korea flipped a coin for second place. Canada called correctly, and advanced to the quarterfinals.

They then pulled off an upset for the ages, beating Mexico 2-1 thanks to dramatic late goals by Carlo Corazzin and Richard Hastings (in extra-time). Canada then breezed by Trinidad & Tobago in the semifinals and easily beat an understrength Colombia side in the final. Many fans scratched their heads and asked why Colombia accepted an invitation but did not field a strong roster. Regardless, Corazzin finished as the top scorer and the tournament MVP was the Canadian goalie, Craig Forrest, who at various times had saved some Canadian bacon.

2002: Ticos tempt the fates

Only two years later, another dark horse made a serious run. This time Costa Rica took a shot at the giants of Concacaf, after easily winning a group featuring Trinidad & Tobago and Martinique. In the quarterfinals they squeezed by Haiti 2-1, thanks to a late goal by Ronald Gomez. In the semifinals, they breezed by special guest South Korea to the tune of 3-0. However, in the final their luck ran out. They lost to the US 2-0, conceding goals to Josh Wolff and Jeff Agoos. The Ticos have reached the semis twice since, but haven't yet tasted another title game.

2005: Canaleros come up short

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Panama did not appear poised for a deep run. In the group stages, they tied a game, lost a game and won a game – finishing second, behind Honduras. Yes, striker Luis Tejada was in scintillating form and had three goals in three games, but the defense looked leaky. In the quarterfinals, they advanced past guest nation South Africa on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. Then, in the semi-finals, they beat another guest nation, Colombia, 3-2 in a barnstormer of a game.

In the final, they faced a young and confident US team. The game plan was simple: pack the box and defend with numbers. A 3 o'clock kick-off in stifling July heat helped. The Canaleros effectively neutralized the US danger man, Landon Donovan, and the game ended 0-0. However, they couldn't keep their nerve from the spot. Kasey Keller saved Luis Tejada's opening penalty, a low shot to the corner, and the tone was set. Only one Canalero converted while Santino Quaranta, Landon Donovan and Brad Davis scored for the US, who won the title yet again thanks to spot kicks.

2013: Year of the dark horse?

The 2013 Panama team should take heart: dark horses have been to the title game before. However, glory for such teams is by definition fleeting. Can they match Canada's feat in 2000, or will they repeat the heartbreak of 2005?

Elliott is the author of Real Madrid & Barcelona: the Making of a Rivalry, available for $5.99 at iTunes by clicking here.

Follow the Gold Cup final live with Graham Parker at guardiannews.com