The best part about January camp and the friendlies that accompany it is that so little of it matters. If this were the full team playing then United States supporters would have had a minimum of 14 heart attacks and would have probably broken their TV's in a fit of rage. Instead, it was just 90 minutes passed and against all odds, another 1-0 win, this time against Panama.
Panama Vs. United States: Graham Zusi’s Goal Wins It For 10-Man USA
Graham Zusi opened the scoring early on when he was able to pounce on a loose ball and drill it home for an eighth minute goal that the Americans made stand up. The play began with a good cross from Zach Loyd, which bounced off the back of Teal Bunbury's leg in front and rolled towards Zusi for the finish.
That was about the only positive contribution that either Loyd or Bunbury made all match. Loyd was a giveaway machine and twice kept Panama onside to give them chances before coming off in the first half. Bunbury was also confused as to which color his team was wearing and added a terrible first touch and poor runs to that.
They were hardly the only U.S. players to have a bad run out there and it showed as Panama gave them problems all night. The Americans' high line bit them on several occasions as Panama got in alone on goal to force good saves from Nick Rimando. That high line also forced Geoff Cameron to nudge Blas Perez over and despite his valid protests that the Panamanian went down softly, the referee showed him a red card for fouling as the last defender so the U.S. had to finish up with 10 men.
Panama had their chances to equalize, both in getting behind the U.S. defense and in their build up play. Perez had the best chance, but he somehow managed to shoot wide from eight yards.
It was an ugly match and Jurgen Klinsmann won’t be particularly happy with the play, but he got himself a win and It’s January camp anyways. It barely matters.
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