World Cup Qualifying
U.S. Brushes Panama Apart, 2-0, Sits Atop Hex
In what head coach Jurgen Klinsmann known as a “complete performance,” the Individuals dominated the visiting facet in entrance of greater than 40,000 in Seattle. Liviu Hen experiences from the scene.
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BY
Liviu Hen
Posted
June 12, 2013
2:10 AM
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SEATTLE—All it took was one prick for the Panamanian defensive bubble to burst. The US defeated Panama 2-0 in entrance of 40,847 boisterous followers at CenturyLink Subject on Tuesday to take the lead within the CONCACAF Hexagonal Spherical.
“We’re very pleased with our performance,” head coach Jurgen Klinsmann mentioned after the sport. “I think throughout the entire game, we were in control of it. Every area on the field, the guys did their job.”
Michael Bradley had a hand in most of the U.S.’s early possibilities, together with when he smacked a volley towards the underside left-hand nook, solely to be inadvertently blocked by Clint Dempsey on its approach to aim.
After a cagey begin, Bradley was additionally the catalyst for the primary breakthrough. He surged ahead on the dribble to start a counter-attack, passing off to Fabian Johnson on the fitting flank. The winger pinpointed his cross alongside the bottom, making it straightforward for Jozy Altidore to faucet in on the far submit.
“Big credit to Fabian: he joined in a strong way,” Bradley mentioned. “The ball he gave to Jozy was perfect, and Jozy’s movement was exactly what you’d expect a goalscorer to do.”
Altidore has scored within the final three U.S. video games. The primary aim in that string, which got here throughout a 4-3 win over Germany, was his first for the nationwide crew since Nov. 15, 2011, in opposition to Slovenia. Earlier than his aim in Jamaica 5 days later, Altidore had not scored in a World Cup qualifier since Sept. 5, 2009.
“He knows that he has our full support in his development,” Klinsmann mentioned. “Often, we forget how young he still is.”
Panama almost equalized simply earlier than halftime, however Luis Tejada was narrowly offside earlier than ending previous American goalkeeper Tim Howard. It appeared as if Panama would make the second half an entertaining battle, however the actuality after the restart was the precise reverse.
The U.S. dominated the second half, pouring probability after probability towards Jaime Penedo within the Panama aim. Hometown hero Eddie Johnson supplied the killer aim within the sport, timing his run completely to fulfill Geoff Cameron’s curling ball excessive. The Sounders attacker took a contact to manage the move, then beat the Panamanian backstop.
“We wanted to add another one to kind of finish things off,” Klinsmann mentioned.
From that time, the U.S. had a number of alternatives for a 3rd. Dempsey one-bounced a volley off the crossbar within the 66th minute, and DaMarcus Beasley hit the submit after a brief alternate between Dempsey and Altidore put him in behind. Penedo rushed out to fulfill him, forcing Beasley to hit a fast shot off the left submit.
In stoppage time, Beasley picked up his second yellow card in qualification matches, that means he’ll miss subsequent Tuesday’s match in Salt Lake Metropolis in opposition to Honduras by means of suspension. Howard mentioned he doesn’t count on the crew to overlook a beat, though Beasley has began at left again for the reason that March 22 win in opposition to Costa Rica.
“We were worried about yellow cards tonight, and [referee Roberto Garcia] was only too happy to give us some,” mentioned Howard, who picked up a reserving of his personal for time losing. “Thankfully, right now is going to be the longest stretch between games we’ve had in a couple weeks, so we’ve got some time to work on it. Guys have been sharp.”
The momentary grass floor, which was an enormous speaking level main as much as the sport, was hardly talked about post-game. As a substitute, the environment took heart stage.
The group in Seattle was the seventh largest of all-time in U.S. house qualifiers, and it made its presence felt all through the U.S. crew.
“For me, you can’t talk about the game without talking about the crowd,” Bradley mentioned. “Unbelievable. The best crowd I’ve played [in front of] in the United States, without a doubt.”
The U.S. will hope for the same reception subsequent week, when it performs Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Individuals will play for the primary time this Hexagonal with sole possession of first place, their 10 factors topping the desk.
“We just need to get points after points. Next week is huge,” Klinsmann mentioned. “I’ll say it the day before the game again: it’s a must win. At home, you’ve got to win your games.”
Liviu Hen is a contract journalist based mostly in Seattle. He’s additionally American Soccer Now’s resident tactical professional. Comply with him on Twitter.
