Michael Bradley and the USMNT are headed to the next round. (Getty)
Final Score
United States 0-1 — 1
Panama 1-0 — 1
Box Score
The United States survived what could have been a disastrous first half and left the final match of Gold Cup group play with a point after a 1-1 tie against Panama. The United States trailed at the half 1-0 but it could have been much worse. Panama had one goal waived off on an offsides call and were close to scoring more goals on several occasions.
Michael Bradley provided the equalizer early on in the second half. The United States looked much better, but were not able to find the back of the net again for the winning goal.
The US won Group A and finished the group stages with 7 points. The US Men’s National Team will have to wait to see who they will face in the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 18th. Here are some of the key storylines and highlights from the match:
Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore Did Not Start
#USMNT Starting XI vs. Panama… #USAvPAN #GoldCup2015 #KeepTheCup http://t.co/xhX3EHxfUl
Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore were noticeably absent from Jurgen Klinsmann’s starting XI. Dempsey had scored all of the United States goals during the Gold Cup coming into the match against Panama. With the United States already clinching Group A, the head coach decided to give the stars a rest early on.
However, Klinsmann inserted Dempsey into the match at the beginning of second half. Altidore rested for the entirety of the match.
Panama Had a Goal Waived Off for Offsides
Panama gave the United States a great match. (Getty)
It appeared that Panama scored a goal at about the 10′ mark. However, the referee waived off the goal on an offsides call. Panama had many chances like this that they were not able to take advantage of. They finished Group A with 3 points by tying all three matches. They will await the other results to see if it is enough to send them to the knock-out stages.
John Brooks Received a Yellow Card
Yellow card USA – No.6 John BROOKS #GoldCup2015 @ussoccer @FenafuthOrg http://t.co/bygX4JkkT0
John Brooks received a yellow card at about the 15′ minute mark. This was his second yellow card of the Gold Cup and will cause him to miss the United States’ next match. The careless challenge leaves Jurgen Klinsmann with quite the decision as the United States enters the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Brad Guzan Had Major Back to Back Saves
Brad Guzan provided two critical back to back saves around the 20′ mark. Panama had a flurry of attempts which were all deflected by Guzan. He is proving he is more than capable in goal.
WOW… Corner deflects off of Wondolowski and Guzan makes the save… Rebound and he makes another… That’s TWO if you’re counting at home
Panama Scored the First Goal of the Match
Blas Perez #7 of Panama celebrates after scoring a goal. (Getty)
Blas Perez scored in the 35′ and gave Panama the 1-0 lead. The United States could have been down by three goals at this point in the match. This would be the lone goal for Panama.
Blas Perez beats John Brooks to the spot, gives Panama the 1-0 lead. #GoldCup2015 http://t.co/GU5Gfyru3w
A Critical No Call Prevented US from Scoring at the End of the First Half
Shocking missed call by referee there. Bedoya clearly clipped by Panamanian defender. On the edge of area? Perhaps, but definitely a foul
Bedoya was knocked down near the box on his way to a one on one opportunity with the goalie. The replay showed it should have at least been a foul. A critical no-call there that led to a flurry of physical play to end the first half.
Two Yellow Cards Were Issued as the First Half Ended
The first half ended with very physical play. (Getty)
Two yellow cards were issued within one minute of each other as the first half neared an end. The last five minutes were marked by extremely physical play as players from Panama and the United States went at each other. The United States had quite the poor half and a deficit of 1-0 could have been a lot worse.
Timmy Chandler is shown a yellow card for a foul on Alberto Quintero. #USAvPAN 0-1, 44′.
Things getting chippy. Yellow card shown to Panama’s Anibal Godoy for a foul on Gyasi Zardes about 30 yards from goal. #USAvPAN 0-1, 45′.
Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin Started the Second Half for the US
DeAndre Yedlin entered the match in the second half. (Getty)
Jurgen Klinsmann subbed in a current and former Seattle Sounders player for some much needed energy. It was obvious that Klinsmann wanted to win the match regardless of whether it impacted their seeding for the next round.
Michael Bradley Evened the Score at 1-1
Michael Bradley scored the chip in as the United States drew even with Panama. The US played with much more energy in the second half. A nice finish by the US captain and it would prove to be the final goal of the match for both teams.
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USA vs. Panama: Gold Cup Score, Stats & Highlights