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Panama through to the final
Carrasquilla scores to make it 5-4 for his team, and Panama is off to its first Gold Cup final since 2013. The USMNT's title defense is over.
USMNT v. Panama score: USA eliminated from Gold Cup in semifinal penalty shootout
Panama is through to its first Gold Cup final since 2013 and will face Mexico, 3-0 winners over Jamaica in the second semifinal
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1 min read
The U.S. men's national team fell short of its goal of defending its Gold Cup title, losing its semifinal match against Panama in a penalty shootout on Wednesday.
USMNT interim head coach B.J. Callaghan made three changes to the team that faced Canada on Sunday, which included giving forwards Brandon Vázquez and Cade Cowell the start. The two combined in the first minute for a Cowell shot that hit the post, but a match that started even eventually pivoted towards Panama. Attackers Eric Davis and Ismael Díaz frequently challenged the USMNT defense on the wing, but delivered few meaningful chances despite dominating in possession.
For the second half, Callaghan switched up the formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 that saw Cowell, Vázquez, and Djordje Mihailovic play in a three and enjoyed more success following that change. The USMNT also produced a real scoring chance once DeAndre Yedlin came on as a substitute midway through the second half, but Jesús Ferreira eventually sent the ball just wide of the net. The reigning Gold Cup champions still were not able to shut down Panama's offensive effort, but saw a repeat of the first half in terms of end product. The match was 0-0 after 90 minutes, which meant the USMNT played a second extra time period in three days.
The hosts looked physically and mentally tired for stretches of the extra time period, which likely opened things up for Panama to score first. Adalberto Carrasquilla sent a long ball towards Iván Anderson and scored with ease after Matt Turner was caught in no man's land and ran off his line.
Despite the tired legs, the USMNT scored an equalizer just six minutes later. Substitute Jordan Morris quickly headed the ball towards a nearby Ferreira, who cooly took one touch and sent the ball into the top right corner of the goal to level the score just before halftime of extra time.
Both teams searched for a second goal in the final 15 minutes of play, but offensive struggles carried on as the game progressed.
The teams were then doomed to a penalty shootout, where the USMNT failed to repeat the success it enjoyed on Sunday. Fresh off his game-tying goal, Ferreira shot first but his shot was saved by Orlando Mosquera. Turner was able to level the score when he stopped Cristian Martínez's penalty and the teams were equal once sudden death began. Cristian Roldan stepped up for the USMNT's sixth penalty, which was stopped by Mosquera. It provided a clear path for Carrasquilla to send Panama through to the final, which he did.
Panama will play in its first Gold Cup final since 2013. The USMNT, meanwhile, has played its last game before Gregg Berhalter resumes duties as the head coach for a pair of friendlies in September.
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Roldan shot saved
Roldan opts to send the ball to the bottom left, but Mosquera is there to save the shot. Panama wins if they convert the next penalty.
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Off to sudden death
Cecilio Waterman converts to level the score with four penalties each, and off to a sixth round of penalties we go.
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Miazga for four
The defender converts his penalty, putting all the pressure on Panama to convert the next one. 4-3 to the USMNT.
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Barcenas converts
The Panama player cooly scores his penalty, sending the ball to the right as Turner heads in the opposite direction.
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Gressel makes it three
Substitute Julian Gressel scores his penalty, kicking the ball to his right while Mosquera dives in the other direction. 3-2 to the USMNT.
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Turner with the save
Cristian Martinez sends the ball to his right, and Turner is there to meet it! He levels the score at 2-2
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Morris scores
Despite Mosquera heading in the right direction, Morris sends his penalty into the top right corner. 2-2 on penalties.
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Díaz makes it two
Díaz sends the ball to his left, sending Turner the wrong way. 2-1 to Panama.
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Mihailovic converts
Mihailovic scores the USMNT's first penalty to keep them in the running.
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Panama takes the lead
Escobar goes straight down the middle, and Turner misses it since he dives away from the ball.
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Ferreira penalty saved
Ferreira sends his ball to his left and Mosquera dives exactly the same way, saving the USMNT goalscorer's penalty.
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Time for penalties
Neither team was able to find a go ahead goal in the second half of extra time, so the USMNT is once again off to a penalty shootout.
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Searching for a second
With about five minutes to go until a penalty shootout, both teams have tried making their way towards goal with little success. Momentum's on Panama's side right now, but the USMNT defense has been able to sniff out any meaningful moves from their opponents.
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United States 1, Panama 1
Ferreira ties it up! Morris sends the ball to Ferreira, who takes it first time in the box and stylishly sends it to the top right corner of the goal. The teams enter halftime of extra time level.
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Fresh legs for the USMNT
Jones comes off for John Tolkin in the 104th minute.
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Tired legs?
The USMNT nearly concedes again almost straight from kickoff as Busio loses the ball, but Turner is able to make a crucial save. Busio and his teammates could be feeling the impact of playing two extra time periods in three days, but are still mustering some forward runs.
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United States 0, Panama 1
Ivan Anderson breaks the deadlock! Turner comes off lis line but misses the ball, which gives Anderson an empty net to score the game's opening goal in the 99th minute.
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Let extra time begin
The USMNT definitely improved from the first half to the second, but after playing 120 minutes three nights ago, this extra time period will probably be more about persevering despite physical and mental fatigue rather than tactics if the hosts want to advance to Sunday's final.
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Off to extra time
The USMNT earned a freekick on the edge of the box for the last kick of regulation time, but Mihailovic's attempt is very easily cleared out by Panama. For the second game in a row, the United States will play 30 minutes of extra time.
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Handball check
Panama claim Mihailovic committed a handball during a corner and want a penalty, but the referee rules that the play ended with an offside call. The USMNT avoids conceding penalties in back to back matches, and is a few minutes away from extra time.
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Chances, but no goals
Díaz nearly wins a footrace with the USMNT backline to be 1-v-1 with Turner, but Busio rescues his team in the nick of time. On the flip side of the pitch, the USMNT midfield tries to launch an attack of their own but it doesn't turn into much. We're headed dangerously close to another round of extra time...
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More USMNT subs
Vázquez comes off for Jordan Morris in the 73rd minute, and Long makes way for Miazga.
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Instant impact
Just minutes after coming on, Yedlin was involved in two promising attacking plays for the USMNT. One eventually lands at Ferreira's feet, who sends the ball just wide of goal. Momentum seems to be on the United States' side for the time being.
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First USMNT changes
Cowell comes off for Cristian Roldan in the 63rd minute, while Reynolds makes way for DeAndre Yedlin. Reynolds played almost the entirety of the 120 minutes against Canada and is likely due for some rest.
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USMNT formation change
Compared to where it left off in the first half, the USMNT has definitely improved from an attacking standpoint. The team switched to a 4-2-3-1 from a 4-3-3 with Mihailovic and Cowell as the wider players in a three, but the reigning champs haven't been able to cancel Panama's forward-minded momentum just yet.
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End to end action
The USMNT makes its first convincing play of the second half in the 53rd half as Reynolds combines with Cowell, though Vázquez sends the ball over the bar. Right after, Turner is forced to make a point blank save and sends the ball out for a Panama corner, but nothing comes of it.
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Stoppage in play
Play stops early in the second half with an injury concern for Long, who may be hurt after going in for a tackle. Matt Miazga was receiving instructions on the sidelines, but Long did return to play.
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Second half underway
No personnel changes at the half for the USMNT.
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No goals at halftime
It isn't for a lack of trying on Panama's part. The team dominated play following the hydration break and though Davis and Díaz posed plenty of attacking threat, Panama hasn't yet delivered in end product. By contrast, the USMNT attack was almost nonexistent for the final part of the first half. The team did have what appeared to be a promising chance on transition towards the back end of the half, but made no progress on the opportunity.
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