By FRANCO PANIZO
HOUSTON, Texas – In the end, the U.S. men's national team got the last laugh against Panama.
The United States got vengeance for its group stage loss to Panama, defeating Los Canaleros, 1-0, in the first match of a semifinal doubleheader at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday night. Clint Dempsey scored the winner in a match that saw the U.S. team reach its fourth consecutive Gold Cup final.
"A really good team effort. A hard game for sure," said head coach Bob Bradley. "In all ways, I thought the mentality of the group (was) looking for ways to win. In the first half, I thought in stretches we had pretty good rhythm with the ball. … Defensively, they're solid and I felt we put a very good play together to score a great goal."
The Americans scored through a 77th-minute goal from Clint Dempsey after substitutes Freddy Adu and Landon Donovan combined to breakdown a tough Panama defense. Adu layed off a through ball to Donovan on the right flank before Donovan hit a low cross to Dempsey, who finished from close range with ease.
"We got out of our end well. The key passes I think between Michael (Bradley), Alejando (Bedoya), Freddy, all did a good job to get out of pressure," said Donovan, who started his second consecutive match on the bench despite being healthy. "I made a run forward, I wasn't sure that Freddy saw me but he played a great ball.
"My first thought was to hit it first time to Clint. I saw the defender back off so I wanted to be aggressive. I ran at him, Clint and I made eye contact and I knew if it was going to get there I had to hit it hard. I hit it hard and Clint made a great play to get his foot on it."
The Americans, who were without injured Jozy Altidore, deployed the same 4-2-3-1 formation it used against Jamaica. As a result, the U.S. team dominated most of the possession from the opening whistle, but had trouble creating clear looks on goal.
The U.S. team came closest to going ahead in a rather uneventful first half in the 25th minute, but Juan Agudelo's headed effort off a Steve Cherundolo cross hit the near post.
"It was kind of like the same tactics," said Eric Lichaj. "(Bob Bradley) showed us some video on Panama, what each player is like, their tendencies. We knew what we were doing on the get go."
With Felipe Baloy and the rest Panamanian back line defending aggressively and compactly, Bob Bradley inserted Donovan at halftime for Sacha Kljestan. Donovan was quiet during the opening minutes of his cameo, as Panama began to control the better and create opportunities.
In the 61st minute, Panama had a near chance as a cross from Nelson Barahona almost found a streaking Alberto Quintero but Quintero couldn't reach the ball.
The Panamanians came closer nine minutes later when Armando Cooper hit a shot that Tim Howard got a fingertip on to force a corner.
"The second half got harder," said Bob Bradley. "Panama did a good job of keeping things very tight. Now you have to look for different ways to win the game."
To do that, Bradley turned to one of the guys who had yet to play in this tournament. Bradley replaced Agudelo with Adu in the 66th minute, and Adu made an impact almost immediately. The 22-year-old midfielder threatened defenders with his dribbling moves and sharp passing, and he helped the U.S. team take the lead 11 minutes after entering with a precise through ball that helped set up Dempsey's third goal of the tournament.
"I was just relieved because the way the game was going it seemed like it was going to go on forever, maybe into extra time," said Lichaj of what he felt when he saw Dempsey score. "I was really relieved."
The United States fought off the desperate Panamanians for the final 13 minutes of regulation, earning payback, its third straight shutout victory and a berth in the final of the tournament.
"I think we showed our quality in being able to grind out a result even if it wasn't our best game and we now find ourselves in the final with a chance to win it," said Dempsey.
The Americans will face the winner of Mexico-Honduras in the final on June 25 at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, California.
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What do you think of the United States' 1-0 victory? Who impressed/disappointed you? Do you see the Americans winning the final with the way they're playing?
Share your thoughts below.
Bradley has made some gutsy calls in the last few games, I definitely give him credit. Adu did look good, he had the really good long ball that lead to the goal and he did some great work in the corner that could and maybe should’ve lead to a goal. Had some nice moves with the ball.
Though, he did get caught badly once or twice in possession that led to quick panama attacks. And hopefully, people can put to rest the idea that he is a speed demon, he couldn’t get any separation from the defense.
But I am happy for him, it’s been a long time away for him. Hopefully, he’ll either stay with Rizespor or move to another team that will get him a lot of playing time.
Top 3 in CONCACAF? I think we are clearly Top 2 with Mexico. Still a big gap between the US/Mexico and everyone else. Which team would be better than the US? who’s in the Gold Cup finals? What teams were predicted to by in the Gold Cup finals? What two teams does everyone else in the world think are the 2 best teams in CONCACAF?
Key players? like Chandler, who has 2 friendly app. plus we have Cherundolo at RB (the Captain of Hannover 96 and having a great Gold Cup). Key players like Diskerud, 2 app that were not great. And Holden who I think is good but has been injuried or a bench player for all the big tournaments, so I don’t really know if he is key.
I feel obligated to post to Ives after reading all his articles on foxsoccer.
Over the years, throughout the world cup and now the gold cup, American commentators and soccer journalists, have to my amazement, praised the services of steve cherundolo.
If I were Mexico, after watching film you would quickly realize attacking cherundolo, would be a fantastic game plan. He blows as a defender and I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY HE PLAYS AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL! After watching him consistently take too many touches, give the ball away without any pressure, CONSISTENTLY HAVE AWFUL CROSSES(I counted yesterday, 2/8 crosses reached a red shirt last night). Meanwhile the commentators are jerking him off “what a great cross by cherundolo” when it doesnt get over the defender at the near post, HA.
Not only to mention his inadequacy as an attacker fullback, but if you watch his positioning on counters and pressured attacks, he gets so lost and abused it’s ridiculous. He continuously is having to recover after stabbing or being caught out of position missing tackles etc. It blows my mind how anyone thinks he’s a good player, let alone “best XI”. The only good thing i like about him is his work rate, but if we capped everyone with a hard work rate our national pool would include an additional million players.
And finally the putz Bradley pulled his head out of the clouds and played someone he knows how to attack out of the midfield. Adu is the most TALENTED player in our squad, and he finally showed a spark of that. I also want to mention J. Jones. If anyone deserves best IX, it would go to him. Hes been the most consistent player on the field, running box-to-box, making tackles everywhere. His ability to switch and make 60 yard diagonals, getting involved in the attack. How many opportunities has he had in front of goal? How many has Bradley had? The best acquisition to the US team in years.
and my favorite play of his was when he lost the ball up the right flank, and then did something not often seen from Fred…he chased back hard to get into the play defensively to stop any counter. he fouled on the play, which was not needed, but to see him give up the ball and then immediately get on it defensively…no pouting…that was awesome to see.
and the rest he did was great to see, too 🙂
Ha ha ha 🙂 good morning coffee laugh. thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSqC7ebeahM
all of adu’s touches….pretty impressive to be honest, did positive things the majority of the times he touched the ball
cheers, man. hopefully the USMNT will make us all proud on Saturday and further win your heart over 🙂
Point 4 makes very little sense to me. If you have SAF or Morinho or countless others, do you replace them just to motivate your players? You do realize these players are professionals…I highly doubt they need a new coaching staff to push them to prove themselves.
Who is this Adu guy?Never heard of him
“The US needs to scour the player pool for an international caliber striker”: Do you really think they haven’t and aren’t? And do you really think that somehow all the clubs in the world have failed to find some American striker better than the ones playing now? Not even Mexico had a striker like Hernandez until he came along.
As for scorers, what more do you want than for a guy to be in the right place at the right time and then to score?
I had a kid on the team I coach, gawky, unathletic. I never wanted to play him but when I grudgingly put him up top, all he did was score goals. We won the league behind his weird, ugly goals, one hat trick after another. Dempsey’s got way more style in his little finger than this kid will ever have, but they both get the job done.
I wouldn’t say perfect, I remember one sequence where he beat his first man and ran down the right wing but held the ball to long and was dispossessed. Also another sequence on defense where #7 on Panama came up and had a lot of space in front of him and was looking to shoot – you could see Adu trailing him as it was his marker and was lightly jogging. Plus his corners were long. But still, the man is a one-man plan B, and it was the right move to bring him in.
Not to defend Bryan’s comment, but aren’t we all armchair spectators here? If we have any Barca players on this board, I would certainly like them to speak up.
Kljestan lost a fair share of possession, but to his credit he worked his butt off on defense.
It was the right move to sub him out though.
You still use tapes!?!? How old are you?
A few minutes before we saw that Adu was coming on I thought myself – the US is losing control of this game, he needs to change something up, but BB doesn’t have any other bullets in his gun….. except Adu. Then when FSC showed Adu getting ready to come on I was just plain shocked. I just didn’t think we’d see him. To be fair, BB didn’t have a choice, there wasn’t any other player on the bench who could have made a difference. That game was easily heading for injury time if it wasn’t for that sub.
Jones is a monster. But a lot of guys have shown up: Lichaj of course, and Bedoya. I don’t think Sacha was as strong, but he certainly quieted the haters. Ditto Adu. He showed that at the very least we need to cut him the slack that many of us are willing to give to MB and (once) Gooch: even if they’re not getting time with their clubs, they still produce for the MNT.
I’d also add that it’s easy to take Dempsey for granted, but man, I love that guy’s game more and more.
I was happy to see him do well, and to see his confidence.
It’s easy–and probably deserved–to complain that Bradley hasn’t used Adu enough. But at the same time I’ve got to give Bradley props for the way he’s turned this tournament around. He’s made some gutsy decisions, from benching Donovan to playing Jones (cards) and Freddy last night. Some of his calls didn’t work out (Wondo, Ream) but overall I respect what he’s done here.
It does not matter who had the easiest or hardest group. The finals are US vs Mexico. The winner takes it all. And Mexico played 120 minutes against Honduras so they will have heavy legs with the short turnaraund between the games.
C’mon guys we’re talking about the Gold Cup. Cuba? El Salvador? Canada? We’re not talking about world class teams here? Throw CONMEBOL in the mix and then I’d be impressed if the US made it to the final.
Bradley finally made a bold and intelligent move. He’s Mr. Play It Safe most of the time.
Freddy Adu, welcome back to the United States Men’s National Team. What a breathe of fresh air he was in a game that was SO dull.
Wow…what a win will do for confidence. It was Panama. There was nothing amazing about that win. I also don’t think any of the players you mentioned as depth are difference makers, but you’re right that there is a lot more then there used to be which is reassuring.
This was Freddy Adu’s coming out party. The guy had so much hype surrounding him as a kid that there was basically no way he was going to live up. In fact he crashed and burned. He picked himself up though and went to a 2nd division Turkish team to get playing time and prove his worth. He’s done that.
Freddy, is the best pure attacking player the US has. You heard that right. He’s the best player we have with the ball at his foot and going at the goal. He has other holes in his game which have kept him on the sideline but i feel like he’s worked hard to close those gaps. Freddy Adu is going to be a mainstay on this team for the next two world cups. I feel more comfortable saying that about him than any other player on the roster (altidore, agudelo included).
Adu is a great player and I knew he had to play, unfortunatley BB didn´t see it that way and only sub Adu in the 78 minute, instead of placing him in the starting eleven, ahead of Sacha.
I read so many of these posts and I’m reminded of that great quote from “Boyz in da Hood”
Anyway, I for one thought this was a vintage USA performance and that it was a great one. CONCACAF is always a pretty “ugly” brand of soccer and grinding out a win is more often than not the order of the day. Jamaica and Panama had moments of playing end to end, but had long stretches of bunkering 11 folks behind the ball.
You have to give credit to a Panamanian team that rode a hot hand as long as they could. The more teams we have like that in the conference the better it is for the USA and Mexico.
Some thoughts: It was nice to see wave after wave of US possession and attacking. They showed patience and a level of creative possession that the US is often accused of lacking.
Depth has never been something that was seen as the USA’s strong suit, yet we’re starting to get glimpses of that the USMNT might look like in the post Donovan/Dempsey era and that is giving some reinforcement to the current squad.
Agudelo had great energy and was a dinger away from sending the USA up early. Bedoya and Adu made strong cases for being included in the final, Lichaj is actually starting to use his left foot… Bradley makes it easy to forget he’s only 23. Plus, we have Chandler, Holden, Diskerrud, Bunbury, Torres and quite a few others waiting in the wings. Plus don’t forget Altidore played with a real chip on his should until his injury. That doesn’t even consider many folks like Davis Gomez Goodson Cherundolo Edu LD and Deuce who are far from hanging it up.
I still wish we had Herc and Chandler on this squad, but had they been there we may not be talking about the players that we’re talking about now!
So did Sacha. Adu lost less possession less than most of our players in this one. That being said I dont think we all should think he is our new soccer savior. He did played well.
Watch the final. If we beat Mexico, most of those Mex jerseys will be pulled off to reveal US jerseys. Thier fans always do that. ha ha
I, like many others in America, audibly gasped when I saw Adu at midfield waiting to come on. In watching him, we are all reminded of the element that catapulted him to a (too) early fame…incredibly skill and quick feet on the ball. He definitely brings a different skill set to the field for an opponent to deal with. Big risk by BB, so far so good.
Am I the only one that thinks Freddy was actually trying to hit Dempsey with that pass? Maybe not, I dunno. but why wing it when Dempsey had the nothing but grass in between him and the goal?
The weakest group? You do realize that Panama tied El Salvador and Honduras tied Costa Rica, both need penalties in order to advance. In fact Panama needed late goal to equalize El Salavor, and many aren’t sure the ball went in on that goal and Costa Rica was unlucky Saborio didn’t covert his penalty to win the game 2-1. It was clear that Mexico’s group was the hardest of the three, don’t let your bias blind you.
Was rooting for Honduras tonight, but those Mexicans pulled it out of course. They are so damned cocky and I need to see them go down. DiNigris karate kick to the flag made me want to puke. Take these guys down USA!
I was proud to see Adu have a great game. Surprised to see him come in of course, but definitely a nice change and nice sub at that time. Klejstian was horrid for some reason. Let’s keep the same starting 11, but Donovan starts in place of Klejstian. Maybe Edu in for Jones if his groin is pulled and let Adu come in the second half if we are down a goal.
This guy would certainly inject some pace
I think you will be proven wrong about Jozy in due time.
No kidding.
jones to roma, translate please ives..comments: http://www.tifosidellaroma.com/arriva-jones-il-primo-americano-in-campo
Fun idea; add that kind of grace to an already efficient and solid team. I like!
haters gonna hate, even when we hoist that trophy on saturday
Gio is fast with the ball.
He wasn’t.
He was behind the guy marking him, but clearly onside because of a defender on the opposite side of the six-yard box. Conveniently, the pass went right through his five-hole…
Hope you find a TV to watch the game on man, should be great. Is the wedding at a hotel by chance, because then it shouldn’t be a problem. I, too, have had to sneak out of weddings to catch some sporting events. It’s always great, if your team wins, youre in a drinking mood; if you’re team loses, you’re in a drinking mood.
+1 Well said Collin. Frame it or better yet, copy it and paste on as a reply to every post on this thread.
Donovan Yes, Bradley NO Jones NO Dempsey Yes Dolo NO many others NO
no worries.
Eh, prior to last year’s World Cup, the US team was scoring (and conceding) goals in bunches. Nate Silver ranked them something like 9th in the world in offense and 29th in defense.
Was the US team filled with “technical ability” back then? Hardly… it was, for all practical purposes, the same players.
This stuff comes and goes.
Im sorry but is Giovanni not fast? I know Honduras was tired but he looks like he’s got the fifa speed burst going like whoa.
sorry Ray, when I first saw this, I thought harsh but harmless joke, then I saw what he posted farther down, my bad.
Panama was fairly impressive.. if they play like that, they should reach the Hexagonal.
Adu is able to be calm in possession like JFT but is also able to play that killer ball and take ppl on 1v1. He should start or be an early 2nd half sub vs. Mexico. He is worlds better than Klesjtan.
BTW, Lichaj was solid at LB once again and is always a threat moving forward. He had one horrible giveaway but looked very sharp. I think we have our LB of the future.
I’m Mexican and could not be happier about playing the US on Saturday. But people like this Bigmeat, who obviously have a little brain puts a dent on the proceedings.
You are SOFA KING stupid
After the game on Saturday don’t be hiding behind you’re mommy’s skirt BigCaca!!!
Whoa, I made a joke in response to a post of yours earlier, but this is way over the line. I hope this gets deleted and your get suspended. There is absolutely no need for this kind of abuse.