U.S. ties 1-1 in Gold Cup opener
Dom Dwyer scored for the second straight game but Miguel Camargo’s goal gave Panama a 1-1 tie against the United States on Saturday in Nashville, the first time the Americans failed to win their opener in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
After scoring in his U.S. debut last weekend against Ghana, the England-born Dwyer put the Americans ahead in the 50th minute with a left-footed shot from 9 yards that went in off the far post. Dwyer, the husband of U.S. women’s team forward Sydney Leroux, ran onto a cross from Kelyn Rowe following a throwin by Jorge Villafana.
Panama put on immediate pressure, and Camargo sent a rebound past the outstretched right hand of Brad Guzan in the 60th minute after the goalkeeper saved an initial shot by Gabriel Torres that followed Edgar Barcenas’ cross.
“It’s just unfortunate,” U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya said. “It’s frustrating. It’s disappointing.”
The U.S. had won its previous 13 Gold Cup openers and dropped to 30-1-4 in Gold Cup group-stage play, with the lone defeat against Los Canaleros in 2011. The past four matches between the nations have ended in 1-1 ties.
“We didn’t play well on the day,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “We didn’t deal well with their pressure, especially in the midfield.”
Next up for the U.S. is a Wednesday match against Martinique in Tampa, Fla. The Americans finish group play Saturday against Nicaragua in Cleveland.
Like most nations, the U.S. is not using most of its top players in the 12-team tournament, preferring to test its junior varsity before World Cup qualifying resumes in September. Just six players started from the among the 22 who opened the March qualifier between the teams, including American center back Omar Gonzalez and Villafana.
On an afternoon with temperatures in the high 80s, there was a hydration break in the first half and action slowed in the latter stages. The crowd of 47,622 was the largest for a soccer match in Tennessee.
Bedoya and Gonzalez started in place of Paul Arriola and Matt Hedges. Midfielder Dax McCarty made his first competitive appearance after nine exhibitions since 2009. Miami FC 7, Deltas 0: Stéfano Pinho scored four goals and Dylan Mares added two as Miami FC (10-2-3) clinched the NASL Spring Season Championship at home. With one first-half match left, the Deltas are in second place at 7-3-5.