The United States ended a five- match winless
streak with a 2-0 friendly victory over Panama on
Sunday.
Goals from Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey
ensured the United States ended a five-match
winless streak with a 2-0 friendly victory over
Panama in California.
Jurgen Klinsmann's men came into Sunday's
match having not tasted success since a 1-0
triumph over Czech Republic in September.
However, the USA got back to winning ways by
prevailing in a physical encounter at the StubHub
Center.
Bradley scored direct from a corner in the 27th
minute to open the scoring in unconventional
fashion, with Dempsey adding a second 10 minutes
later.
The hosts began brightly, with Bradley involved in
a number of early attacks that did not provide
reward.
Jaime Penedo of Panama was then beaten in his
100th international appearance as a left-wing
corner from Bradley drifted over the LA
Galaxy goalkeeper's head and into the far corner
without being touched.
Penedo was beaten again when Galaxy team-mate
Gyasi Zardes cut in from the right to play in
Dempsey.
The experienced Seattle Sounders attacker
shimmied his way past the keeper before firing into
the open net to double the USA's advantage.
Panama spurned a golden chance to pull a goal
back when Matt Besler slipped while attempting to
control the ball on the edge of his own area.
Striker Blas Perez pounced, only to fire wide of
Nick Rimando's goal.
A feisty first half contained 22 fouls and referee
Henry Bejarano was forced to stop play repeatedly
after the interval.
The USA were denied a third goal when Penedo
saved a Jermaine Jones header from Bradley's
neat free-kick, but there was little in the way
of action thereafter as the tempo dropped amid a
raft of substitutions.
Perry Kitchen and Matt Hedges made their debuts
for the USA as replacements, with Miguel Ibarra
and Zardes having been handed their first starts
at international level.
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