A Clint Dempsey hat-trick inspired the United States to an emphatic 6-0 win against Cuba in the Gold Cup quarter-finals ©Getty Images

Clint Dempsey scored his first international hat-trick as hosts United States booked their place in the Gold Cup semi-finals with a 6-0 win against Cuba at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dempsey, who plays his club football for the Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer, opened the scoring with a header in the fourth minute before Gyasi Zardes, Aron Johannsson and Omar Gonzalez each got their names on the scoresheet to put the defending champions 4-0 up at half-time.

The 32-year-old successfully converted a penalty in the 64th minute to double his tally and went on to complete the rout 14 minutes later, firing home from Michael Bradley’s pass.

His three goals make him the tournament’s leading goalscorer with six and move him to within 10 of the national record held by Landon Donovan, who racked up 57.

“That’s always great to do but you can’t do it without your team-mates,” Dempsey said.

“We came out and played well and finished our chances.

“As a team we’re getting better as it goes along.”

Jamaica's Giles Barnes celebrates his winning goal against Haiti
Jamaica's Giles Barnes celebrates his winning goal against Haiti ©Getty Images

The US’s opponents in the last four will be Jamaica, 1-0 winners against minnows Haiti in their quarter-final tie.

Haiti defied the odds to secure a place in the last eight after finishing runners-up behind the US in Group A, but their fairytale run came to an end at the M&T Bank Stadium with Giles Barnes’ seventh minute goal proviing decisive.

Jamaica will be looking to reach the final for the first time when they face the US at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Wednesday (July 22).