http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/United-States-c3034 versus Panama – Gold Cup semi-final: First half review (Part 2)
After dominating the opening few exchanges of their gold cup semi-final against U.S.A, Panama’s superiority became diluted near the 20th minute mark when United States started to push more men forward. In the 25th
minute of the match, United States almost scored their first goal of the match when Cherundolo was played in by Bedoya down the right hand side.
America’s right back pulled the ball back for Agudelo who found himself in space inside the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Panama-c2978 penalty area. However the young striker failed to direct his shot past Panamas’ goalkeeper as the ball struck the post and went
out of play for a Panama goal kick.
At the midpoint of the first half Panama became rough in their approach to the match. Their midfielders tried to seek out conflicts with their American counterparts. In the 36th minute, the referee had to break up a
melee between Dempsey and Luis Henriquez as Panama’s defender had caught him on the Achilles tendon just as he was about to deliver a cross for his team mate http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juan-Agudelo-c19644. With the match hanging in the balance, United States continued their dominance in the
midfield area.
Bob Bradley’s team were happy keeping the ball at their feet as this frustrated their counter parts. More importantly, Clint Dempsey’s clever runs into the wide channels along with Jermaine Jones’ drives from the centre of the
park created more space for United States to plough forward in. Furthermore, Agudelo was a handful for Panama’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904 for most part of the first half. His diagonal runs and link up play with Dempsey created trouble inside the Panama penalty area, something
that worked to United States’ advantage.
In the 40th minute, Panama were on front the foot as they forced a corner out of America’s defence. The corner kick was taken by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gabriel-c14281 Gomez but the midfielder’s delivery sailed over his team mates inside the American
penalty area and thus went out of play for a goal kick. The first half soon came to an end shortly after with the score line at nil all. U.S.A controlled the play in the first half of their Gold Cup semi-final against Panama. The Americans looked more comfortable
on the ball as well as without it unlike their opponents who were constantly under pressure in the first half.
Nonetheless, Bob Bradley’s midfield men were the standout performers for U.S.A in the first half as they dictated the tempo of the match which was essential to United State’s dominance. Unluckily the home side were unable to score
but they did come close through Agudelo’s header which thumped off the post in the 25th minute.
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