Panama upsets USMNT on penalties, reaches Gold Cup final
Los Canaleros are through to their first tournament final since 2005
Panama played the role of spoiler on Wednesday at the Gold Cup, defeating the United States 5-4 on penalty kicks to reach the final.
The USMNT could only muster a 1-1 draw against the Central Americans in the hotly-contested semifinal played at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.
For the U.S., it was the second straight game at this tournament (after the win against Canada in the quarterfinals) that needed to be resolved via a shootout.
The Americans, the defending Gold Cup champions and fielding a B team after capturing the Nations League last month, had several chances to take the lead throughout the contest. Like in the Canada match, the U.S. lacked sharpness and cohesion in the final third.
The game ended scoreless after 90 minute, but Panama took the lead in the 98th minute after Ivan Anderson beat goalkeeper Matt Turner and slotted the ball into the net.
The U.S. tied things up in the 104th minute with Jesus Ferreira for his seventh goal of this Gold Cup.
But the game ended 1-1 and went to penalties, where Adalberto Carrasquilla put a right-footed shot past Turner for the winning kick after Cristian Roldan’s shot for the U.S. was parried by goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.
Panama, who have never lifted the Gold Cup, are through to its first Gold Cup final since 2005.
The final on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will feature Panama against Mexico. El Tri blanked Jamaica 3-0 match on Wednesday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.