
Panama's star forward Blas Perez received a red card after the 90th minute equalizer against El Salvador (which was scored by Luis Tejada). Panama were a man down for extra time but most importantly, PEREZ IS SUSPENDED for today's game. Panama's best player is out.
Expected US lineup: Howard, 'Dolo, Boca, Goodson, Lichaj, Bradley, Jones, Kljestan, Bedoya, Dempsey, Agudelo
Game is on FSC at 6pm CST and Veetle.com. The 2nd semi matchup Mexico v. Honduras follows at 9pm CST. No word yet on if we get our favorite Mexican ref that we had for the previous US v Panama match.
Photo: CONCACAF
Bedoya's best game in a USA jersey. I guess he deserved to start. Kljestan was totally useless except when he left the field and allowed Landon Donovan to take his place (moving Bedoya to right wing). I think I've seen enough of Kljestan. But, you know it, I know it, the surprise of the YEAR was Freddy "the Midget" Adu setting up Landon Donovan on the right wing for the game winning pass to Clint Dempsey. I forgot that Freddy can actually play this game. Good ball skill, great passing, but too small to play physically. We won because the ref let our bigger stronger players get away with everything. Jones is a hack and gives the ball away too much. Goodson is a hack but dominated the smaller Panamanians in the air. Even Bocanegra had somewhat of a hack job today, but controlled the penalty area between the 12 and the 6. Panama's biggest strongest player, Felipe Baloy, was clearly their best, too. A physical game favored the USA, and that's why we won. No way can we do that against a bigger European or African team, but it works against shorter Central American, Caribbean, or Asian teams. Bring on Mexico (or better yet, Honduras!) Go Catrachos!
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