The USA men’s national team fell short of their goal of retaining their Gold Cup title, losing their semifinal match against Panama on penalties on Wednesday.
USMNT caretaker coach BJ Callaghan made three changes to the team that faced Canada on Sunday, including adding forwards Brandon Vázquez and Cade Cowell to the starting XI. The two united in the first minute for a Cowell shot that hit the post, but the game that had started eventually turned towards Panama. Attackers Eric Davis and Ismael Díaz frequently challenged the USMNT defense on the wing but created few significant chances despite dominating possession.
In the second half Callaghan changed the formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 with Cowell, Vázquez and Djordje Mihailovic playing in a group of three and found more success after this change. The USMNT also had a real scoring opportunity when DeAndre Yedlin came on as a substitute midway through the second half, but Jesús Ferreira sent the ball just wide. The reigning Gold Cup champions still failed to stem Panama’s offensive efforts, but as far as the final score went, the result of the first half repeated itself. The game was tied 0-0 after 90 minutes, meaning the USMNT played a second overtime in three days.
The hosts looked physically and mentally exhausted for much of the extra time, which likely gave Panama an opportunity 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 went off his line.
Despite their tired legs, the USMNT equalized just six minutes later. Substitute Jordan Morris quickly headed the ball towards a nearby Ferreira, who took advantage of it coolly just before half-time in extra time, sending the ball to the top right corner of the goal to level the score.
Both teams looked for a second goal in the last 15 minutes of the game, but offensive problems continued as the game progressed.
The teams then went to a penalty shootout, in which the USMNT was unable to repeat their success from Sunday. Fresh from his game-winning goal, Ferreira shot first but his shot was parried by Orlando Mosquera. Turner was able to level the score when he stopped Cristian Martínez’s penalty and the teams were even when the sudden death set in. Cristian Roldan stepped in for the USMNT’s sixth penalty, which was saved by Mosquera. This paved the way for Carrasquilla to send Panama through to the final, which he did.
Panama will play its first Gold Cup final since 2013. The USMNT, meanwhile, has played its last game before Gregg Berhalter resumes his duties as head coach for two friendlies in September.