USA vs. Panama: Final score 1-1, Gold Cup opener disappointing for both teams

Dom Dwyer scored an impressive opening goal for the United States men’s national team on Saturday, but it was one of few highlights in an otherwise disappointing performance to open their Gold Cup campaign. Panama earned a 1-1 draw in Nashville, and only a spectacular performance from Brad Guzan in goal kept them from earning all three points.

The Americans got off to a promising start, with Kelyn Rowe forcing José Calderón into a save in the fifth minute. But unfortunately for the USMNT, their chances dried up fairly quickly.

Rowe had another shot stopped in the 26th minute during the Americans’ best attack of the first half, assisted by Jorge Villafaña. But Panama surged forward instantly afterward and were unlucky not to go ahead through Miguel Camargo. He unleashed a drive at goal from the center of the box after picking up a pass from Ismael Díaz, but Guzan came up with an excellent save.

Díaz nearly got on the scoreboard just before halftime, taking a shot at the far post after beating Graham Zusi, but his effort drifted just wide.

The USMNT started much better in the second half than it ended the first, and took the lead in the 50th minute. Rowe set up the chance with some skillful dribbling moves to get by Luis Ovalle, then a pass toward the top of the box. Dwyer picked up the ball, turned and finished at the far post, scoring his second goal in as many games.

Panama woke up after the goal and instantly started putting the United States under heavy pressure. Guzan was forced to make an excellent save on a Gabriel Torres header in the 55th minute, and Omar Gonzalez barely blocked Diaz’s follow-up from point-blank range.

But the Panamanians didn’t have to wait much longer to find an equalizer. Once again, Guzan came up with a great save, this time on a powerful close-range strike from Torres. His defenders couldn’t clean up the mess, though, and Camargo smashed the ball into the back of the net from eight yards to make it 1-1 in the 60th minute.

While there was some fast back-and-forth attacking over the final half-hour, there wasn’t much precision in the final pass from either team. Neither goalkeeper was forced to make a difficult save after Panama’s equalizer, so both sides had to settle for a draw.

After this result, both teams will be looking to post a huge goal differential over their next two games to finish on top of Group B. Martinique and Nicaragua aren’t just in for two tough matches against superior squads, but games where their opponents will try their hardest to run up the score.