Panama was always going to make it a fight, but the 2009 U.S. Gold Cup team showed on Saturday that it capable of taking a punch and still finding a way to win.
The U.S. national team went into Saturday's Gold Cup quarterfinal as the favorite, but anyone expecting the Panamanians to be a pushover doesn't know much about CONCACAF. With striker Blas Perez, defender Felipe Baloy and goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, the Central American side had the pieces to pull off the upset, and looked poised to win a game it never controlled. At least before Kyle Beckerman's blast and a steady second-half performance that eventually wore down Panama.
By the time the whistle blew on regulation, the Americans stood as a group, listening intently to head coach Bob Bradley's instructions. On the other side of the field, the Panamanians were laid out on the Lincoln Financial Field grass, worn out and looking unlikely to muster the energy for the upset. That might explain how defender Roman Torres managed to miss a clearance attempt in his own area and kick Kenny Cooper in the mid-section, setting up Cooper's game-winning penalty kick.
While the game itself wasn't beautiful, the team performance was inspiring for a young and shorthanded U.S. squad that will head into Thursday's semifinal vs. Honduras brimming with confidence.
Here are the U.S. player grades for the quarterfinal, along with some other observations:
USA Player grades vs. Panama
Troy Perkins (6.5)- Had no chance on the goal, aggressive off his line and better with his distribution.
Heath Pearce (6)- Defended well and got involved in the overlap well. A performance and tournament to build on for the one-time A-Team starter.
Chad Marshall (7)- A mountain in the middle, dominated in the air and broke up every sequence. Was involved in the Panama goal, but he did well to win the ball and send it to a teammate.
Jimmy Conrad (6)- Was having the beginnings of a great game before being forced out with a concussion on a nasty head to the skull.
Jay Heaps (5.5)- Steady, well-positioned and miles better than the Haiti match.
Robbie Rogers (5)- Defensively, Rogers tracked back well and allowed Pearce to get forward. Offensively, he failed repeatedly to beat his man, committing countless turnovers. His cross on the Beckerman goal boosts his grade.
Kyle Beckerman (7.5)- His best performance in an already impressive tournament. After a steady first half, Beckerman stepped it up in the second half with a stellar goal and dominant effort covering ground and maintaining possession for the Americans.
Logan Pause (5.5)- Struggled in the first half but eventually settled in and provide good support in front of the defense, allowing Beckerman to get more involved in the attack.
Stuart Holden (7)- All over the field most of the match, Holden showed a world-class work rate and while he could have done better on the Panama goal (as well as on a great chance created by Davy Arnaud), he did help set up the play that drew the game-winning penalty.
Brian Ching (6.5)- Solid effort as a target forward. Drew countless fouls and earned a bunch of good free kicks. He needed to finish off that early header, but is definitely playing himself into form and is making a case for starting vs. Mexico in August.
Davy Arnaud (6.5)- Another good performance up top for the Wizards striker. His quickness is a good complement to Ching and his lay-off pass on Beckerman's goal was clutch. Had another assist-worthy pass that Holden pushed wide. Worthy of another start in the semifinal.
Clarence Goodson (6)- There was some uncertainty when Conrad left the match, but Goodson stepped right in and did an admirable job. Did lose his mark on the Panama goal, but was otherwise solid.
Kenny Cooper (6.5)- Another erratic performance, but his grade gets a boost for him stepping up and taking the game-winning penalty. Still needs to work on his team play, and he's still disappointing in the air, but the goal should boost his confidence.
Brad Evans (INC)- Didn't play enough for a grade.
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Some more thoughts:
Say what you want about the Panama goal, but it was a fluky play and Blas Perez is good enough to pounce on it. Marshall did his best to get it away from the attacker and to a teammate, but Holden couldn't settle it because it came in too fast. You also had Goodson being beaten to the corner kick, which was then headed at Marshall with Perez lurking.
Beckerman is really coming into his own. Yes, he will give up the odd unforced turnover, but more often than not he'll fight to win the ball back. His passing and attacking qualities are underrated and he is still a tough tackler. The national team pool is deepest in central midfield, but Beckerman is showing that he's worthy of being in the discussion.
Kudos to Jay Heaps for rebounding from the Haiti match to put in a solid effort vs. Panama. He was up to every challenge thrown at him and kept himself in good positions throughout.
Put your money on Brian Ching starting vs. Mexico on Aug. 12 if he's healthy. His ability to hold up the ball, draw fouls, and set up other teammates with passes is invaluable, even moreso on the first team with the likes of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey playing off him. He's still shaking the rust off after several months away from the national team, but you see the tools that should make him a first-team starter again when World Cup qualifying resumes.
That isn't the only reason to expect Ching to start vs. Mexico. As impressive as Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies were in the Confederations Cup I have a feeling Bob Bradley isn't going to want to throw two young forwards out in a qualifier at Azteca.
Davy Arnaud has quietly enjoyed a good Gold Cup. Forgotten in all the pre-tournament chatter, the Wizards striker is quick and smart and understands the team game. He not only set up Beckerman's goal, but would have had a second assist if Holden could have finished a great look in the second half. It may not result in qualifying call-ups, but he deserves the credit for stepping up in the Gold Cup.
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That's all for now. What did you think of the U.S. team's performance vs. Panama? Feeling good about this team and it's ability to step up to challenges? Like the U.S. team's chances vs. Honduras?
Share your thoughts below.
