This was a testy match. Felipe Baloy went after Benito Archundia ala Drogba style with all the pushing and shoving after the match was over and should be suspended. The Panama team also brought out the lumber to the US and should have been called on a number of fouls.
Bob Bradley continued his experimentation with Jay Heaps, Logan Pause starting and bringing back Davy Arnaud. The USA began the half with more ball control but against the run of play, Panama went ahead with a hovering Blas Perez pouncing on Stuart Holden’s cough up off a corner to blast home. The US lost a lot of experience when veteran Jimmy Conrad had to be taken of after getting clocked by Torres going for a header in the 41st minute. He was subbed by Clarence Goodson.
The second half began the USA rallying the pressing the Panamanians harder. Their defense was caught napping when Arnaud laid the ball for Kyle Beckerman who powered a shot from midfield that caught Jaime Penedo off balance for the equalizer. Most of the half was a snapshot of two things: Robbie Rogers getting dispossessed by Luis Moreno time and time again and a number of fouls on the US that did not get called.
The match ended 1-1 at regulation. In extra time a hard charging Roman Torres caught Kenny Cooper in the midriff after the Dynamo striker entered the box. Archundia had no hesitation and also gave Torres a yellow card. Which really should have been a red. Cooper stepped up and had no difficulties burying the penalty.
Stuart Holden seems to have become the find of the tournament from the US perspective. He is far more crisp and attacking than Adu. Brian Ching is a physical threat. He is a bit like Mark Viduka but his finishing needs to be better. Kenny Cooper who scored the PK will have a tough time displacing Jozy Altidore. Kyle Beckerman who scored his first God Cup goal was solid. Davy Arnaud showed some nice creative touches. Jay Heaps did better than expected. Logan Pause was anonymous but committed no major blunders. The biggest disappointment was Robbie Rogers who was pushed off the ball very easily by a physical Panamanian defense.