Gold Cup 2015: Breaking Down USA's Performance Against Panama

The USA entered its 1-1 draw with Panama on Tuesday night with just one loss in 33 previous Gold Cup group-stage games. The only loss: Panama.

That loss came back in 2011, when an own goal by Clarence Goodson set the USA on the back foot, allowing Los Canaleros to take a 2-1 win in Tampa, Florida. Since that loss, however, the Americans have owned the Panamanians.

In the knockout round of that 2011 Gold Cup, USA beat Panama 1-0 before losing to Mexico in the final. In 2013, the Americans beat Panama 1-0 again, this time in the Gold Cup final. In October of that same year, USA scored twice in stoppage time to rip a World Cup appearance straight from the Panamanians' hands.

Before American “super-sub” Gyasi Zardes made the start, Fox Sports 1 Gold Cup Match Day analyst Alexi Lalas talked about the excitement around head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to start the promising attacker.

“I’m excited about this because of Gyasi Zardes and what he could potentially mean going forward for this U.S. national team,” Lalas said.

Lalas also seemingly tempered expectations for Zardes in the same interview.

“When you’ve had success coming off the bench and being that spark plug, and now you have to start and from that first whistle perform, it’s a different type of role,” Lalas said.

Once the game started, Panama looked like the more energetic team. They were able to create multiple scoring chances in the opening minutes, including this would-be goal by Luis Tejada (watch from 0:28):

After a fairly stagnant start, the USA got its first real scoring chances in the 16th minute, when Alejandro Bedoya took a Chris Wondolowski one-touch pass wide and met the keeper one-on-one. Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo made the first of just two saves on the night.

In the 18th minute, Michael Bradley found himself open in the middle of the field and decided to take a chance from deep. He lasered it on goal, but Penedo made his second save of the evening (watch from 1:02):

About three minutes later, USA keeper Brad Guzan showed off his chops on a Panamanian corner. Saves like this are what had America buzzing about Tim Howard in the 2014 World Cup.

In the 34th minute, Panama finally capitalized on what had been building all match with Blas Perez’s goal (watch from 1:31):

The USA was unable to match Panama’s intensity and enthusiasm in the first half and looked rather stale at times when passing the ball.

The first half drew to a 0-1 close for the USA, but not before a very controversial decision, or lack of a decision, by the referee. A streaking Bedoya appeared to be purposely clipped on his left leg, going down just outside or inside the box.

Twitter user @DTang0426 echoed the sentiments of a nation when he sarcastically asked, “If no call for Bedoya, then yellow for diving, right?”

"

@amadoit @worldsoccertalk If no call for Bedoya, then yellow for diving, right? https://t.co/ptO8C2a5ZC #CONCACAFrefs #USAvPAN

— Derek (@DTang0426) July 14, 2015"

The first half ended with the U.S. attack managing only two shots on goal. The starting debut of Zardes had thus far led to little production, which prompted Klinsmann to substitute Clint Dempsey for Wondolowski prior to the second-half whistle.

The change needed less than 10 minutes before it created its intended spark (watch from 2:56):

The USA defense remained strong the rest of the night, thwarting solid attempts by Panama in the 60th minute (watch from 3:46):

And the 75th minute (watch from 4:14):

Offensively, Bedoya’s goal early in the second half was the USA’s only real chance. The Americans mustered just eight total shots, with only three going on goal.

Klinsmann’s lineup shuffle before the game was akin to the lineup for the USA’s opening group-stage match with Honduras, when the Americans put five of six shots on goal and netted two in a 2-1 win.

Yahoo soccer analyst Leander Schaerlaeckens described the USA’s performance following Bradley’s equalizing goal.

“That changed the dynamic of the game,” he said. “With the Americans awoken from their slumber, and applying pressure, the Panamanians found it harder to carve out the chances they would need to avoid having to progress to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams.”

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

With the group stage behind the USA, just three games stand between the Americans and their sixth Gold Cup. A more reliable attack is a must going forward.

All stats and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise noted.

Follow Aaron Brand on Twitter @AaronBrand47