Jurgen Klinsmann wanted his team to play in a hostile environment in CONCACAF, with the young guys in camp needing that experience. He got what he wanted, and the team he described as tired still held on to win 1-0 against a young Panama team that outshot and outhustled them on Wednesday night. Graham Zusi scored in the ninth minute to put the team ahead off the Zach Lloyd cross, Chris Wondolowski flick on, and Teal Bunbury deflection.
Nick Rimando started in goal and was named man of the match for his clutch saves, particularly one against the Philadelphia Union signing Gabriel Gomez in the 25'. Gomez was sprung clear and had a one-on-one with Rimando, who dove left to parry away and scrambled to punch the rebound across the endline for a corner.
Ricardo Clark and Lloyd got the start this time around, while Jermaine Jones again captained the side. Jones had an excellent shot from distance force a stellar save from Panama keeper Luis Mejia, with Wondolowski chasing the rebound for a diving header that was again saved amazingly by Mejia.
Geoff Cameron was sent off for a foolish challenge outside the box in the 51'; the foul itself was innocuous but he was the last defender in a clear goal scoring chance, so the red card was justified. Cameron should have more trust in his keeper from that distance. The foul was drawn by new FC Dallas signing Blas Perez, who played out of his skin all night as he captained his squad (though he should have leveled at the end but shot wide). Dallas defender Carlos Rodriguez also played for Panama.
Starting lineup:
Nick Rimando
A.J. DeLaGarza, Michael Parkhurst, Geoff Cameron, Zach Lloyd
Ricardo Clark, Jermaine Jones
Graham Zusi Brek Shea
Chris Wondolowski, Teal Bunbury
Substitutions:
41' Heath Pearce for Zach Lloyd
46' Sean Johnson for Nick Rimando
55' Jeff Parke for Chris Wondolowski
66' Bran Evans for Graham Zusi
67' Jeff Larentowicz for Ricardo Clark
76' C.J. Sapong for Teal Bunbury
Subs not used: Benny Feilhaber
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