"USMNT's Gold Cup Journey Ends with Penalty Shootout Heartbreak Against Panama"
San Diego, Calif. (July 12, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) suffered a 5-4 defeat to Panama on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinals. Having played 120 minutes just three days earlier, the U.S. team endured another marathon match and faced back-to-back penalty shootouts for the first time in its history. The outcome marked the end of the USMNT's journey in this year's confederation championship, despite forward Jesús Ferreria's impressive performance, scoring his tournament-leading seventh goal. The match took place in front of a crowd of 31,690 at Snapdragon Stadium.
This encounter marked the 12th Gold Cup meeting between the USA and Panama, making it the most frequent fixture in the competition. Interestingly, it was only the second time that the Central American side managed to defeat the USMNT in the tournament. Panama will now await the winner of Wednesday's other semifinal, which will be either Jamaica or Mexico. The 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Final is scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 16.
The USMNT wasted no time in asserting themselves in the early stages of the game. Within the first minute of play, forward Brandon Vazquez capitalized on a defensive giveaway by Panama and delivered a dangerous pass. Teenage sensation Cade Cowell, making his second tournament start, struck the ball off the base of the post with a powerful right-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Following this opportunity, Panama took control of possession and launched attacks throughout the first half. Forward Ismael Diaz, who scored a hat trick in Los Canaleros' quarterfinal against Qatar, tested the U.S. defense with a quick snapshot from a tight angle in the 12th minute, forcing goalkeeper Matt Turner into a sharp save. Midfielder Yoel Bárcenas then thought he had put the ball in the back of the net for Panama in the 29th minute, connecting with a close-range volley from a pinpoint pass by midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla. However, the assistant referee raised the flag for offside. In the 43rd minute, Turner had to come off his line to deny Diaz a free header near the penalty spot following a scramble from a miscleared ball by defender DeJuan Jones.
The second half started similarly to the first, with a good chance for the USMNT. A brilliant display of skill on the right side of the penalty area by Cowell unlocked the Panama defense, and he delivered a cross across the goal mouth in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately, Vazquez, making his first start of the 2023 Gold Cup, struck the ball over the bar with an awkward attempt.
Just a minute later, at the opposite end of the field, Panama sent a sharp cross from the right, which was met with a headed effort by Diaz. Turner made his second save of the game, diving to tip the bouncing ball up and out for a corner kick.
As the game progressed past the hour mark, both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock. In the 65th minute, the USMNT created its best chance of the match so far. It was a sweeping move that originated from Turner, with midfielder Gianluca Busio surging forward with the ball through the middle of the park. Substitute DeAndre Yedlin's low cross from the right found Golden Boot leader Ferreira, but the striker narrowly missed the target with his shot, guiding it just wide of the far post. Both teams had chances to secure victory in the dying seconds of regulation, but neither managed to capitalize, leading to another period of extra time for the U.S. side.
Fatigue began to show for the USMNT in the first period of extra time, as they had one day less of rest compared to their opponents. Panama capitalized on this advantage and took the lead in the 99th minute when defender Ivan Anderson scored his first international goal. Anderson perfectly timed his run to stay onside, beat Turner to the ball, and slotted it into an open net.
However, Panama's lead did not last long. In the 105th minute, second-half substitute Jordan Morris rose to head a long ball down into the penalty area. Ferreira reacted swiftly and volleyed the ball into the far corner of the net with lightning reflexes, securing his seventh goal of the Gold Cup and his 15th for the USMNT.
With the match tied 1-1 at the end of extra time, the USA found themselves in a shootout for the second consecutive match, a first in the team's history. Unfortunately, Ferreira's opening penalty was saved by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. Although Turner managed to stop Cristian Martínez's attempt, substitute Cristian Roldan's saved kick gave Panama an opportunity to claim victory. Adalberto Carrasquilla stepped up and sealed the win for Panama with a well-placed strike in the shootout's sixth round.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
PAN - Ivan Anderson (Adalberto Carrasquilla), 99th minute: As both teams grew tired, the game became more stretched in extra time. Anderson seized the opportunity, timing his run to stay onside, and beat Matt Turner to the ball, calmly slotting it into an open net for his first goal in a Panama jersey. USA 0, PAN 1
USA - Jesus Ferreira (Jordan Morris), 105th minute: Despite a long, hopeful ball from deep in midfield, Jordan Morris produced a moment of brilliance. Rising highest to head the ball down into Ferreira's path, the striker executed a curling volley into the far corner of the net, securing his seventh goal of the Gold Cup and his 15th for the USMNT. USA 1, PAN 1
Notes:
- The USMNT played back-to-back matches that went into extra time and required penalty shootouts for the first time in its history. Jesús Ferreira, James Sands, and Matt Turner were the three players who played the full 120 minutes in both games.
- Ferreira's 105th minute goal was his tournament-leading seventh of the 2023 Gold Cup, equaling Clint Dempsey's record (2015) for the most goals scored by a U.S. player in a single edition of the confederation championship.
- Ferreira's goal was his 15th in his international career, tying him with Cobi Jones for 14th place on the USMNT's all-time scoring list. Additionally, Ferreira registered his 12th goal in official competition, matching Michael Bradley for 10th place among USMNT players in competitive matches.
- Matt Turner made his 10th Gold Cup appearance, equalling Tony Meola for third place among U.S. goalkeepers in the continental championship. Turner also made his eighth appearance in a knockout round match, surpassing Meola and taking sole possession of third place among USMNT goalkeepers.
- Turner's save on Cristian Martinez's penalty kick was his fifth penalty kick save for the USMNT, with two coming during regular time and three in shootouts.
- James Sands became the sixth player to feature in 11 consecutive Gold Cup matches for the USMNT. After making his tournament debut as a substitute against Haiti on July 11, 2021, the midfielder has started in each of his last 10 Gold Cup appearances.
- The lineup also boasted an average of 16 caps and 11 appearances in official competition.
- Brandon Vazquez earned his first Gold Cup start in his hometown of San Diego.
- Cade Cowell (19 years, 271 days) became the fourth youngest player to start a Gold Cup Knockout Round match for the USMNT, following Juan Agudelo (18 years, 211 days; June 22, 2011, vs. Panama), Gianluca Busio (19 years, 58 days; July 25, 2021, vs. Jamaica), and George Bello (19 years, 191 days; August 1, 2021, vs. Mexico).
- DeAndre Yedlin, a substitute and the leading cap-winner in the current player pool, made his 81st career appearance, tying him with Desmond Armstrong, Thomas Dooley, and Tab Ramos for 27th place on the USMNT's all-time caps list.
- The USMNT's all-time record against Panama stands at 17 wins, 2 losses, and 7 draws. In official competition, the team holds a record of 13 wins, 2 losses, and 7 draws against Los Canaleros in Gold Cup matches.
- The USMNT boasts a 29-8-7 record in the Gold Cup knockout round and a 11-3-2 record in Gold Cup semifinal matches.
- The USMNT's record in shootouts in official competition is 5 wins and 3 losses.
Match: U.S. Men's National Team vs. Panama , Date: July 12, 2023
Competition: 2023 Gold Cup – Semifinal
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium; San Diego, Calif.
Score:
1st Half: USA 0 , PAN 0
2nd Half: USA 0 , PAN 0
OT1: USA 1, PAN 1
OT2: USA 0, PAN 0
Final Score: USA 1 , PAN 1
Penalty Kicks: USA 4 , PAN 5
Goal Scorers:
PAN - Ivan Anderson (Adalberto Carrasquilla), 99th minute
USA – Jesús Ferreira (Jordan Morris), 105th minute
Penalty Kick Summary:
USA – Jesús Ferreira (saved), Djordje Mihailovic (goal), Jordan Morris (goal), Julian Gressel (goal), Matt Miazga (goal), Cristian Roldan (saved)
PAN – Fidel Escobar (goal), Ismael Diaz (goal), Cristian Martinez (saved), Edgar Barcenas (goal), Cecilio Waterman (goal), Adalberto Carrasquilla (goal)
Stats Summary: USA / PAN
Shots: USA 14, PAN 12
Shots on Goal: USA 3, PAN 5
Saves: USA 4, PAN 2
Corner Kicks: USA 2, PAN 3
Fouls: USA 12, PAN 12
Offside: USA 1, PAN 4
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Miles Robinson (caution) 86th minute
PAN – Anibal Godoy (caution) 101st minute
Comments
Post a Comment