Kansas City, MS- Down a goal in the final match of the first stage of the 2015 Gold Cup? No sweat for the United States Men’s National Team. After going behind early, the U.S.A. were able to claw back and earn a 1-1 draw thanks to a second-half goal by Michael Bradley.
Blas Perez of Panama opened up scoring in the 35th minute, finding space behind U.S.A. center-back John Anthony Brooks and burying his chance. Credit to Panama midfielder Luis Tejada for getting past left-back Timothy Chandler and servicing Perez with an excellent flick. The goal was Perez’s 39th goal all-time with Panama.
Michael Bradley evened things up for the U.S.A. would his goal in the 51st minute. He was assisted by midfielder Alejandro Bedoya whose pass off of the inside of his left foot was within reach for a Bradley tap in.
With Haiti winning earlier in the evening, the pressure was on Panama to produce a win. The 2013 Gold Cup runners-up looked strong early on with several close opportunities. In the 9th minute they appeared to have the 1-0 lead when Tejada finished off a free kick with a shot past U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan. However, his goal was denied due to an offside call.
Panama would strike again in the 17th minute when off of a series of poor clearances by the United States the ball was left open in the penalty box. Brooks would eventually make the clear but not before several Panamanian players would try and hammer home the first goal.
Despite facing strong pressure from Panama, the United States attack would have their own opportunities. In the 15th minute, Bedoya would make a daring run down the right flank and hit a shot on target but ultimately saved by Jaime Penedo. Bedoya would provide another opportunity for U.S. forward Gyassi Zardes. However, Zardes opted for the dummy move without an additional attacker behind him.
After Panama took the lead, things got a bit chippy. In the 35th minute Bedoya appeared to be pulled down near the penalty box by Panamanian defender Roman Torres. However no call was made by the official. Over 21 fouls were issued during the first half alone with two yellow cards coming in the final ten minutes.
In the second half, the United States attack would come alive thanks to the substitution of Clint Dempsey. It was Demspey’s piercing pass on the outside to Bedoya that would set up Bradley’s tying goal. Bradley now has 15 goals all-time with the U.S.A.
A cross by Zardes in injury time looked like the United States might grab another goal late. But his service into Bradley was too high for the skipper.
For the United States the draw means that they will finish atop of Group A. They will be playing again on Saturday in Baltimore at M &T Bank Stadium against an opponent to be determined.
For Panama things are a little bit more gray at the moment. With the draw, Haiti moved ahead of them and earned the second automatic qualification spot for the Quarter-finals. Panama can still qualify for the next round; however, they will need to finish as one of the top two third-place teams among the three groups. Groups B and C will finish play on Tuesday and Wednesday.
