Panama emerged victorious in the Gold Cup semifinals over the USA with a 5-4 shootout win at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Wednesday night. After Jesus Ferreira equalized Iván Anderson’s extra-time goal, the match was tied 1-1, leading to a penalty shootout. Thomas Christiansen’s team secured the victory by converting their spot kicks, resulting in interim U.S. coach B.J. Callaghan experiencing his first defeat since assuming national team responsibilities.
“There’s a lot of learning lessons that we’re all going to take away as we now continue our preparation to the path of 2026,” Callaghan said.
“You had some older senior guys that had the experience that we challenged to take on more leadership roles, mentorship roles, and that came out. And then we had a group of young players, whether they are U20 — had played at the U20 — or Olympic age, and all striving to become part of that roster in 2026.”
Panama dominated the first half against the USA
Despite a strong start by the U.S., hitting the post through Cade Cowell in the opening minutes, Panama began to show superiority as the first half progressed. The visitors had a well-executed goal disallowed for offside, and the teams went into halftime with the score tied at 0-0.
The U.S. only managed to maintain 34% possession in the first half.
“The first half is my fault,” Callaghan said of the U.S. having just 34% possession in the opening 45 minutes. “I didn’t set the team up the way they should have been set up.”
In the second half, the momentum of the game became more balanced. In the 52nd minute, Brandon Vazquez missed the target with a shot over the crossbar after receiving a pass from Cowell. Shortly after, Ismael Díaz had his close-range header saved by Matt Turner.
During extra time, Anderson displayed skillful footwork near the top of the area to beat Turner and score into an empty net, giving Panama the lead. However, Ferreira, who is currently the top scorer in the Gold Cup, equalized the game at one apiece with a well-placed volley from Jordan Morris’ header across the box.
Turner’s penalty-saving antics for the USA was absent against Panama
Orlando Mosquera showcased his goalkeeping skills by saving a penalty from the USMNT’s Cristian Roldan during the shootout. In sudden death, Adalberto Carrasquilla successfully converted a penalty to secure Panama’s place in their third-ever Gold Cup final.
Panama’s opponent in the final will be determined by the outcome of the other semifinal match between Jamaica and Mexico, which will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The match had a similar feel to the U.S.’s quarterfinal encounter against Canada, where Canada took a 2-1 lead in extra time before the U.S. equalized and eventually won the penalty shootout with two impressive saves by Turner.
This marked the first time that the USMNT played consecutive matches that required extra time, and it was also the first time they played extra time twice in the same tournament. In the dying moments of regulation stoppage time, the U.S. narrowly avoided a potential penalty when video review determined that Djordje Mihailovic did not commit a handball.
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