After losing 2-1 to Panama in the Gold Cup group play a week and a half ago, the U.S. has a chance to get some revenge after suffering one of its worst defeats in recent memory. The Gold Cup semifinals take place tonight at Houston's Reliant Stadium.
The U.S. faces Panama and then Honduras plays Mexico. A dream final of U.S. vs. Mexico on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl is what everyone wants but first they both have some work to do at the home of the Texans.
Jozy Altidore is done for the Gold Cup (out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury) so Juan Agudelo gets the start in his place, other than that it's the same squad that beat Jamaica 2-0 on Sunday.
U.S. starters:
Howard
Cherundolo, Goodson, Bocanegra, Lichaj
Jones, Bradley
Bedoya, Kljestan, Dempsey
Agudelo
Panama starters:
Penedo
Machado, Torres, Baloy, Henriquez
Barahona, Henriquez, Gomez, Cooper
Tejada, Quintero
U.S. wins the first corner but as usual, doesn't do anything productive with it.
Bedoya did a nice job to keep the ball inbounds and Agudelo tried to back down a defender in the box but he was called for a shaky foul.
Jones needs to play a little more cautiously since he's carrying a yellow card. Panama has four players with yellow cards.
Great reminder, that was the first time Panama had ever beaten the U.S.
Long ball for Bedoya is snatched up by Penedo who comes way off his line to grab it.
Jones with a beautiful ball across the field to somebody's chest. That's what they need more of, some less Vanilla passes.
Dempsey wins a header in the box but Penedo gets it before Agudelo can.
Bedoya gets crushed on a tackle by Cooper who picks up a yellow. The former BC star was hit right in his back. Must of hurt pretty bad.
Bedoya wins a free kick midway between the box and midfield. He seems to be making things happen early on in this one.
Dempsey shoots from distance but it goes well wide. Like the confidence, don't enjoy the lack of accuracy.
U.S. looks to have a counterattack starting but Agudelo misplays a pass to Kljestan at midfield. Bad play, gotta complete that routine pass.
Great buildup by the U.S. Bedoya gives it to Cherundolo who hits a cross to Agudelo. His diving header goes off the Panama post and the U.S. can't connect on the scramble following that rebound.
Panama starts jawing with Tim Howard. Now, they're starting to flop and whine all over the field. I've never seen this team before (since I missed the last meeting) but they're already starting to bug me.
Bedoya gets called for a foul outside the U.S. box. Panama can't do anything with it but it goes out for a throw. They play the ball across the goal but nobody is there for Panama.
Dempsey gets taken down for a U.S. free kick. This game is getting chippy and I kinda like it.
Good buildup by the U.S. but there's too many bodies in the box and they put it out for a goal kick. Just gotta find that finishing touch.
Another yellow card for Panama (Henriquez) after one of their players kicks Bedoya after a play had gone by.
The U.S. with another chance in the box but they can't get the final shot lined up, Dempsey tries to do something with it but it was an impossible ball to control.
Panama wins its first corner in the 40th minute.
Agudelo tries to beat a couple Panama defenders but he clearly drags one down and is rightly called for the foul. He has to show more variety than just trying to blow by everyone. Doesn't work, even against a team like this.
Quintero wins a free kick for Panama right outside the U.S. box. Could have been a disaster there as Goodson got beaten and was forced to tackle him from behind. Barahona tries to be a hero and put it on goal from a tough angle but it goes over.
One minute of added time.
Halftime: 0-0
U.S. has carried the play although they have just had the one really good chance (Agudelo's header). As the announcers said, the U.S. desperately need Landon Donovan in the game. They need someone that can break a defense down consistently, they lack that at the moment.
Follow @RichSlate
Tweet
No comments:
Post a Comment