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USMNT Falls to Panama in Heartbreaking Penalty Shootout
The U.S. men’s national team did not achieve its goal of defending its CONCACAF Gold Cup title. They lost their semifinal match against Panama in a penalty shootout on Wednesday.
Interim head coach B.J. Callaghan made three changes to the USMNT team that played against Canada on Sunday. He gave forwards Brandon Vázquez and Cade Cowell the start.
Cowell combined with the two in the first minute and attempted a shot that hit the post. However, Panama soon grabbed control of the game, which began equally. The strikers, Eric Davis and Ismael Daz, constantly attacked the USMNT defense on the wing but generated few meaningful chances despite controlling possession.
USMNT Falls to Panama in Penalty Shootout
In the second half, Callaghan altered from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 configuration. Cowell, Vázquez, and Djordje Mihailovic played as a three and had better success as a result of the shift.
DeAndre Yedlin entered the game as a substitute during the second half. The USMNT produced a real scoring chance. Jesús Ferreira ultimately directed the ball narrowly past the goal.
The reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup champions did not shut down Panama’s offensive effort, but Panama experienced a repeat of the first half in terms of end product. The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, which required the USMNT to play a second extra period in three days.
USMNT Struggles in Extra Time, Panama Scores First
During stretches of the extra time period, the hosts appeared physically and mentally tired, which likely allowed Panama to score first. Adalberto Carrasquilla sent a long ball toward Iván Anderson, and he scored easily after Matt Turner ventured too far off his line and ran off.
Six minutes later, the USMNT equalized despite their drained bodies. A close-by Ferreira received a quick header from substitute Jordan Morris, who calmly took one touch and deftly placed the ball in the top right corner of the net. Just before the start of extra time, this evened the score.
Throughout the final 15 minutes of play, both sides kept trying to score a second goal, but as the game went on, their offensive struggles became more pronounced.
USMNT Loses to Panama in Penalty Shootout
The sides then engaged in a penalty shootout, but the USMNT was unable to repeat its Sunday win.After scoring the game-tying goal, Orlando Mosquera stopped Ferreira’s initial shot.
Turner tied the game by saving Cristian Martnez’s penalty, and sudden death began with both teams tied. Mosquera stopped Cristian Roldan’s sixth penalty for the USMNT, allowing Carrasquilla to advance Panama to the final.
Panama will compete in its first CONCACAF Gold Cup final since 2013. The USMNT, on the other hand, has played its final game before Gregg Berhalter takes over as head coach for a pair of friendlies in September.
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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