Worl Cup Qualifying: USA 3, Panama 0 on June 8


Panama struggle to fend off the U.S., but the Americans put it away in the first half to continue their march towards a World Cup berth.

The game starts out quite physical. In the 6th, off a corner, Bocanegra heads in a goal for a promising start. Keller comes up big in the 13th, smothering a dangerous cross. The U.S. continually harrasses Panama, the Central Americans cough it up on several occasions. On one of these, Ralston crosses perfectly to a streaking Donovan, who heads on target to make it 2-0 quickly.
Boy, if Donovan can keep this up, it bodes well for the United States in Germany.
Garces gets on the end of a nice cross behind the U.S. defense in the 24th, but shoots wide. In the 26th, Keller saves a header off a Medina free kick, the rebound is saved and then another rebound is headed by Brown from point-blank range and Keller holds. Yikes.
Garces again has a sweet move at the top of the boxin the 32nd, and he rifles it in, hitting the woodwork. In the 40th, a terrible error by Panama opens the door to a third goal. Torres blocks a long-range shot, but leaves the ball for a lurking McBride, who makes him pay. It is 3-0.
In the second half, Gonzalez saves well in the 64th off a weak Donovan shot. A minute later he saves again off an outside shot from McBride. Panama are fighting bravely as the game runs out, but the U.S. never ease up, and the result is a confident win.

Posted: Thu - June 9, 2005 at 09:52 PM          

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