U.S. loses lead, ties Panama
NASHVILLE — For the first time ever, the U.S. men’s soccer national team failed to win its CONCACAF Gold Cup opener.
Blame this disappointing result on the Americans’ inability to protect a lead.
Dom Dwyer scored for the second straight game, but Miguel Camargo’s goal gave Panama a 1-1 tie Saturday, ending a streak of 13 straight wins for the United States in their opener of soccer’s North and Central American and Caribbean championship.
Camargo’s 60th-minute goal capped a dominant 10-minute stretch for Panama after Dwyer had put his team ahead.
“It’s just unfortunate,” U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya said. “It’s frustrating. It’s disappointing.”
After getting a goal in his American debut last weekend against Ghana, the England-born Dwyer scored in the 50th minute with a left-footed shot from 9 yards out that went in off the far post. Dwyer ran onto a cross from Kelyn Rowe after a throwin by Jorge Villafana.
Dwyer joined teammate Paul Arriola in scoring goals in his first two international matches, a feat accomplished by nine Americans since 1916.
“I love playing with great players, and this is definitely a higher level than club football,” Dwyer said. “It’s international football, so you’ve got all the best players around you. So I think if I’m on a good team, I’m going to score goals.”
Panama put on immediate pressure and scored after Rowe was beaten down the flank and Edgar Barcena crossed to Gabriel Torres. Brad Guzan saved his initial shot, but Camargo sent a rebound past the goalkeeper’s outstretched right hand.
“It just comes down to a lapse of concentration,” Bedoya said.
The United States dropped to 30-1-4 in Gold Cup group-stage play, with the lone defeat against Panama in 2011. The last four matches between these teams have ended in 1-1 ties.
“We didn’t deal well with their pressure, especially in the midfield,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “We turned the ball over way too much and didn’t do a good job establishing a rhythm, getting our team more involved in the game. I thought defensively we didn’t do a good enough job getting pressure on the ball.”
Next up for the United States is a Wednesday match against Martinique in Tampa, Fla. The Americans finish group play next Saturday against Nicaragua in Cleveland.
Like most nations, the United States is not using many top players in the 12-team tournament, preferring to test its junior varsity before World Cup qualifying resumes in September.