By FRANCO PANIZO
This was not the start the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team had envisioned.
The U.S. was left with one point and fell to fifth place in Group A of the CONCACAF Championship on Sunday after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Panama in their second game of the tournament. Substitute forward Carlos Small scored the match-winner for Panamanians in the 78th minute, latching onto an aerial ball and sliding a shot past goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
The Americans had opportunities to pull ahead in the game at Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica, but struggled to create much in the final third, just as they did in Friday’s opening 1-1 draw against Guatemala.
Tab Ramos’ side had an early header from Matt Miazga cleared off the goal line, but never came that close to seriously testing Panama goalkeeper Jaime De Gracia again.
Steffen had to bail out the U.S. from falling behind in the first half, as an aerial ball caused all sorts of trouble for Miazga and centerback partner Cameron Carter-Vickers. The ball was whipped in over the top and then laid off to an onrushing Ismael Diaz, whose ensuing low shot was saved by Steffen’s foot.
The U.S. had good spells of possession before and after that play, but too many times lacked sharpness with the ball once it entered the final third.
Unable to score from the run of play for the second straight game, the Americans paid the hefty price after another pass was clipped into the 18-yard box. Miazga and left back John Requejo were beaten on the play, which saw Small allow to the ball to bounce before slotting it into the back of the net.
The U.S. will next take on last-placed Aruba on Wednesday, and will need an improved showing and a victory to get back into the conversation for a World Cup qualifying spot. The Americans currently trail Guatemala, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama.
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What do you think of the Americans’ loss to Panama? What needs to be fixed in order for the results to come? Still see the U.S. qualifying for the World Cup?
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