USA sail past Panama, will face Curacao in the next round
The USA kept their current good form going against Panama, beating them 1-0 in a game between two teams who had already qualified to the next round. The win secured 1st place of Group D for the Yanks. Both coaches said winning the group was very important for their team, yet both chose to rest their starters and use alternate lineups. The reward for the winner would be a date with the surprising Curacao team that snuck into the next round after a draw with Jamaica and the implosion of El Salvador.
The Yanks dominated possession in the 1st half and had a few good chances, but both teams went into halftime with a 0-0 draw. Even with the alternate lineup, the USA’s glaring weakness was still visible in the game as lack of speed in their central defense allowed Panama to get close on a few occasions, but Sean Johnson was never really bothered.
The 2nd half went very similar to the 1st half with the Yanks keeping possession of the ball and attacking well down the wings, but not able to make solid connections in the final third of the field.
It seemed all USA needed was for its golden boy, Christian Pulisic, to enter the game. Pulisic entered the game in the 65th minute of the game, and on the ensuing corner kick, USA scored. The goal came in the 66th minute via Jozy Altidore. Altidore found the ball after Miazga headed the ball into the box, and two Panama defenders failed to make good contact, executing a short Chilena from close range for the goal.
While Panama attempted to tie the game, Johnson’s goal was never in real danger. The USA completed the perfect group stage winning all three of its games scoring 11 total goals and keeping a clean sheet in every game.
The win sets up the Americans with a Sunday showdown with Curacao in Philadelphia while Panama will match up with Jamaica in Sundays 1st game. So, for now the Concacaf’s dream final seems to be on track as both El Tri and the USA seem poised to meet in the final. However, with the way teams like Haiti and Curacao have been playing, the Gold Cup might still have a few surprises in store for us.
