U.S. vs. Panama Live!
It's quarter final time in the Gold Cup and I'm settling in this afternoon to enjoy the U.S. vs. Panama match. The coverage on FSC is starting in a few minutes.The Canadians have already posted an impressive 3-0 win over Guatemala earlier today, so now it's Sam's Army's time to shine.
It should be a walk in the park for the U.S. lads, but we'll see if they bring their A-game.
Join me for all the action, eh?
posted by gatorbob @ 3:20 PM
78 Comments:
Landon Donovan is definitely a guy to watch today. He decided this week after some dithering to take the side to Copa America afterall. Meanwhile, he has a chance during this tournament to become top scorer for the U.S. national team. Currently Eric Wynalda is tops on 34 goals, while Landycakes has 31 after Saturday's penalty.
Gillette Stadium is looking particularly gorgeous in the brilliant sunshine today. I still haven't had the chance to visit since it took over from the old Foxboro.
Here's the starting eleven for the U.S.:
Howard
Bornstein
Onyewu
Bocanegra
Hejduk
Mastroenni
Bradley
Beasley
Donovan
Dempsey
Twellman
So, Onyewu is unfortunately favored over Jay Demerit (my pick). Benni Feilhaber also drops out after some pretty impressive stuff. And Bradley sticks with Dempsey up front alongside his former teammate Taylor Twellman, who looks to improve on his six goals for the U.S.
Another worry for me in this side - there's not a real natural #10 style playmaker. Donovan tucks in behind the front two, Beasley plays wide left, Mastroenni is the holding guy and Bradley tucks in on the right.
Jesus - FSC went off for a spate of ads and then came back on with the game already in progress! If this were the UK, the switchboards would be lit up!
Donovan's in one-on-one with the keeper in the opening seconds but he can't flip it by him. Out for a first corner. Good bright start for the U.S.
Three players suspended for Panama after that bloodbath with Mexico, which saw them end with nine men. They really shouldn't pose much of a problem for the lads today, right?
Hejduk overlaps well from a nice ball from Landycakes, but he wastes the final ball - come on Frankie!
The U.S. definitely trying to hit Panama hard right from the start, hoping for an early goal to kill off Panama. A lot of high pressure from the midfield.
As Bretos has pointed off several times already, Foxboro presents a real advantage for Sam's Army. We've never lost here and there will be very little presence from the Panamanian community in the stadium as there would be further south.
DeMarcus Beasley is down nursing his shin after a sharp challenge. He's receiving treatment but should be able to continue. Lots of options in midfield for Bob Bradley.
Oh, Twellman really should've nailed that one, but somehow he manages to screw it wide right after a lovely knock down from Dempsey. He really wants that one back.
Second corner for the U.S. coming up...
oooh, Bradley nipped into the near post and flicked on a header that might just have drifted into the back corner.
After that initial burst of activity in the opening minutes, the game has settled down a bit. Stil, the U.S. should have plenty of chances if they're patient.
At the same time, the U.S. defense has been very solid so far, with Panama merely looking for breakaways.
Fifteen minutes gone. I've noticed that Donovan is dropping very deep into the midfield. That's not his game and hopefully Bradley will sort that out.
Dempsey completely punks a Panama defender Torres and he merely hacks him down, earning a yellow in the process.
The pace of the U.S. attack has dropped noticeably in the past ten minutes. The heat must be unbearable on the pitch. They seem to be resorting to the long ball to "Double T."
Bit of argy bargy between Gooch and a Panamanian player leads to a yellow for Balloy after he unceremoniously shoves Gooch to the ground.
First corner for Panama....
and it's cleared.
And quick break from Beasley releases Donovan who waits and waits and then allows the keeper to save it from a difficult angle.
Third corner for the U.S.....
And it's gobbled up by the keeper.
More argy bargy from Panama after the corner and they could easily pick up another yellow card. No, the ref is sensible in keeping the game going.
A bit of time wasting from the Panama keeper - it's a bit early for that, isn't it?
The entire bottom rung of the stadium seems full - I'd say about 30,000 in Gillette this afternoon. Not bad for a double header.
A third Panamanian goes into the book for high kicking - Perez.
Hejduk again provides nice width on the right but fails with the final ball.
Another terrible wasted opportunity from Twellman. He really should have two at this point.
Hejduk wins a fourth corner....
Better from Twellman there. A cracking header off the corner, just tipped off the bar.
It's all U.S. at this point. They really should be a couple of goals up at this point. Panama is not threatening at all. I question the need for Mastroenni as a holder in a match like this where Panama are merely trying to spring quick attacks rather than building through the middle. I'd like to see Benni get a run out in the second half.
Tremendous playacting from the Panama left winger gets Frankie Hejduk a yellow card. Shame.
Oh, I did not like that. From the free kick it looked like Onyewu pushed a Panamanian over, but he made a meal of it, so the ref played on. Gooch really can be clumsy at times and is liable to give pens away.
Good looking free kick opportunity lofted in by Landy, but the keeper tips it away. Dempsey hits a soft shot at the end of the sequence.
Thirty minutes gone: The U.S. have to guard against frustration here. They're no doubt aware that Canada were 2-0 up at this stage against Guatemala. They're starting to allow Panama a few more chances. We really could use a goal before the half to calm the nerves.
Blas Perez screws a shot wide right. That was their best chance yet. Gooch looked poor on that sequence again.
Not enough creativity here from the U.S. They were relying on a quick start through their natural athleticism, but now they need a bit more guile from a natural #10.
Hejduk has been doing a nice job getting free down the left, but the final ball is not there.
Ach, Gooch picks up his fourth card of the tournament. The commentary team thinks it's harsh but again it seems like his clumsiness gets him into trouble. He just went through the back of the player. I think that might put him out for the semi on Thursday.
The "Fort" looks in excellent shape today, full of "Sammers" all decked out.
Hejduk recovers well after the left winger streaks away.
Oh, Twellman snatches at a shot and finds the backheel of Dempsey. Shame.
Gooch again gives up a dangerous free kick from a header. He's liable to go off again today if he's not careful. He just doesn't seem to be able to deal with quick Latin players who are likely to go to ground easily. And that's about 80% of Concacaf strikers.
An open chance for Panama from the resulting free kick. Sheesh!
Oh, Balloy should've picked up a second yellow there, breaking up a useful exchange between Twellman and Dempsey.
Great tackle from Hejduk and he's livid at the Panamanian striker who's rolling around on the ground like a wee girl.
For some reason Howard is getting involved in some kind of seminar about officiating with the ref. No need for that, Tim.
The striker, who went down like he'd been shot, is being stretchered off now; doubtless he'll be springing off the gurney as soon as it hits the touchline.
Yep, he's back on to a chorus of boos from the Foxboro faithful.
Two minutes of added time from the ref. Probably could've added more for the Panamanian time wasting.
Half-time: Not a bad half from the U.S. but it's disappointing that they haven't scored. This is precisely the kind of game that the U.S. needs to coast through in WC qualifying. They really need a natural teamleader to get them through here. And Landycakes ain't the guy.
Second half starting....
I don't see any immediate changes.
Early free kick from the foot of Landycakes looking for Beasley but it's cleared out.
Close offside call there for Panama.
Plenty of firepower on the bench from Johnson and Ching.
Oh, Howard comes up with a world class save there after Onyewu fails to push up for an offside call. He's kept his side in it there.
Now it's Juan Perez who goes into the book for a hack on Dempsey. That's their fourth yellow.
It's all being launched at Twellman, who's doing a nice job knocking balls down, as he did there, but there was no one following up. That should have been a chance for Landy.
Oh, Frankie was wasteful there. He should've pulled it back for the on-running Twellman. Instead he blasted high from a tight angle. Shame.
Maybe it's a bit early to start wondering, but I'm not sure what the tie-break format is in the Gold Cup. Extra time surely, but "Golden Goal" rule? Silver goal? Certainly there will be pens at a point.
Great penalty shout there for Donovan after a lovely through ball.
It should be Donovan to take and could be his 32nd.
And...he slots it coolly.
1-0!
GOAL! 2-0! Bocanegra is wide open and knocks an easy header in from Beasley's free kick.
Those two quick goals have changed the complexion of the game. I can't see Panama getting back into this one. They've been fairly anemic up front apart from that one chance that Howard saved.
I don't know why Bradley hasn't switched some players out at this point. I'd put Ching and Johnson on for Dempsey and Twellman for sure. They look knackered and will be needed on Thursday.
Steve Rallston's up off the bench, probably will come in for Landycakes.
Twenty minutes to go and it should be coasting from here on out.
Rallston coming on for Twellman. Shame that he didn't get one or two today.
The most positive thing today is that they're heading for a fifth straight shut-out.
Yet another overlap from Hejduk comes to nothing as he knocks a cross right at the keeper. I admire the guy's puff but not his final ball. Surely that's something that should be worked out on the training pitch.
The Panama side is mobbing the keeper here after Torres hacks Dempsey on the breakaway. Torres is already on the yellow and he's off. Panama down to ten men.
Still no other changes from Bradley. You'd think that a fresh Johnson or Ching might find some joy.
Free kick for Panama....The U.S. needs ot stay sharp. Tim Howard really has been terrific.
The U.S. is just dropping deep now, egging the Panamanians on to bring it to them. No a lot of breath left in this one. It really needs a change or two.
Dempsey is just too cute there by half. He gets a nice square ball from Donovan and then takes one too many touches. Should've hit it first time.
Ching is being introduced for Dempsey, who looks shattered. Let's have another one Brian.
GOAL! 2-1. Shame, a messy backfield allows Blas Perez in to halve the lead. There goes the shut out.
The U.S. really need to concentrate now. Another silly goal really would be a shame.
Panama getting far too much possession here. Again, this is the time for a team leader to put his foot on the ball and calm things down.
Ricardo Clark is coming in, presumably for Beasley, who's been disappointing today.
Nice tackle from Gooch there; he's had a better second half.
Landycakes coming off...
Ugly free kick given away by Bornstein. No, the ref has given it the other way. Mystifying.
Tim Howard picks up a silly yellow for time wasting.
The ball then breaks to Beasley, who shanks a shot wide left.
Four stoppage minutes to play....
It good to see them continuing to press for a third goal here. Panama should be squashed like a bug.
Ching should've been able to strip the defender for pace given that he's just come on but he loses the battle. I would've thought of him as quicker than that.
Gooch gets lucky there after a ball hits his arm in the area but he'd been falled. This really shouldn't have been as close as it's been allowed to become.
Almost time now and Bocanegra does a nice job holding it up.
Full-time: It should've been 4 or 5-1 but in the end it was another decent performance from the boys.
Thanks for the wrap-up on this one Bob. I'll be around for the Canada match I think.
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