USA vs Panama: Brek Shea Needs to Capitalize on Opportunities for USA to Prevail

If the U.S. men's national team is to have any chance against Panama on Wednesday night, there can't be as many missed opportunities than against Venezuela.

Against Venezuela on Saturday, the USA won, 1-0, but only had four of 19 shots on target. Hyped youngster Brek Shea was a part of this.

Shea has been one of the most hyped American players in years. He's drawn rave reviews throughout the world for his speed, ball technique and versatility, and at 6'3", he possesses the size the USA has been lacking as it tries to assert itself.

But on Saturday against Venezuela, Shea had two prime opportunities to convert in regulation and fell woefully short. I'm not going to denounce a 21-year-old player who still has plenty of room to grow, but Shea's attempts on Monday weren't exactly difficult and they were certainly there for the taking.

Shea, as young as he is, needs to understand that he is being seen by many as a potential difference-maker on the world stage for the Americans and, given the USA's ineptitude throughout the years, he's larger than life right now. Expectations may be unreasonably high, but he needs to convert the opportunities that he had against Venezuela.

A lot of blame is being tossed at new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann after the USA has scored just six goals in eight matches, but it goes both ways. The players need to step up, as well. They are getting opportunities, they just aren't converting them.

The defense for the Americans has been impressive, especially after their shutout of Venezuela, but against teams like Panama, which sports Blas Pérez and Gabriel Gómez, they can't afford to score just one goal.

The USA's offense has been sputtering and is in desperate need of someone to step up. Someone like Shea.