The opener ultimately comes via corner as Panama gets a breakthrough in the 54th minute. It was a direct headed own goal from Gyasi Zardes, who oddly looked to be directed the ball toward goal, perhaps in attempts to head it over. Still, Panamanian captain Anibal Godoy was originally credited with the goal and led an emotional celebration in front of the home faithful.
From my editor and my perspective, the holding midfielder shouldn't be credited with a rare goal. Panama strikes first! Berhalter put a lot of faith in this relatively unproven XI, and they did not pay him back with a solid performance.
That was a really, really poor first They largely couldn't, though the midfield didn't exactly do them many favors with their inability to open up. All three starting center mids were mostly non-entities in possession. Things weren't any better defensively. Panama's fullbacks to push high and to the sideline when the center backs were in possession, the center backs often found them in plenty of space and they were able to drive forward and cause problems for the US defense.
Panama also had a few good looks off of US turnovers in midfield. The Americans have done a good job of wearing opponents down and then blitzing them in the second half with fresh bodies. They better hope that strategy works tonight. Winger Brenden Aaronson and defensive midfielder Tyler Adams could come on immediately; both remained on the field at halftime to warmup.
Acosta and Arriola would be the likely casualties. Although lineup changes are a given when each international window houses three games, the seven changes to the United States' lineup has exposed some severely disjoined individuals and position groups. Walker Zimmerman and Mark McKenzie haven't started together in qualifying but have been largely unchallenged.
Even the typically impactful Tim Weah has been rendered useless for the most part, making just six passes and failing to send any attempt toward goal. He, along with Acosta, have been especially poor this half. The United States hasn't been able to separate itself from Panama through 32 minutes. Four corner kicks each. Two shots each, none on target.
One blocked shot and even ten crosses each. Panama appears to get the first gilded chance, but Freddy Gondola sees his shot stopped by Matt Turner's outstretched right arm before it's ultimately whistled offside. Two other qualifiers kicked off concurrently at the top of the hour. While Jamaica and Canada are still level at 0, El Salvador opened the scoring at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica thanks to Jairo Henriquez — and an incredible case of the commentator's curse.
The USMNT has come out flat to start this game, and the biggest issue with that hasn't even been Panama's quarter-chances, but rather that those chances have given the fans in this stadium belief that Panama can score and win this game. Before the game, the fans we spoke to said getting a result against this team was a huge challenge and that a draw would be a very good result.
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Mexico scouting report Roger Gonzalez 2 min read. Barca's Aguero denies he's considering retirement Jonathan Johnson 1 min read. Adams: Previous Mexico wins mean 'nothing' Roger Gonzalez 4 min read. Weah: 'We have the whole country on our back' James Benge 4 min read. It's to the hosts! On a corner, the ball goes front post, and it ends up hitting Zardes' head and finding the back of the net!
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