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U.S. loses to Panama in CONCACAF Gold Cup third-place game

 
Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia, center right, celebrates with Harold Cummings after beating the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup third-place game. Panama wins on penalty kicks 3-2.
Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia, center right, celebrates with Harold Cummings after beating the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup third-place game. Panama wins on penalty kicks 3-2.
Published July 26, 2015

CHESTER, Pa. — Music and shouts of celebration blasted from the Panama locker room next door as U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann tried to put another positive spin on another loss.

Backup goalkeeper Luis Mejia saved two penalty kicks in the shootout and an inspired Panamanian team ended a trying week by beating the Americans in the CONCACAF Gold Cup third-place game Saturday. Panama won the shootout 3-2 after extra time ended with the score 1-1.

Mejia saved DaMarcus Beasley's shot in the fifth round in what might have been the veteran defender's last game for the United States.

In Wednesday's semifinals, Panama was on the verge of beating Mexico despite being down to 10 men until a disputed hand ball was called in the area. Mexico converted the penalty kick in stoppage time, then scored on another penalty kick in extra time for a 2-1 win.

The Panamanian federation's president later alleged the match was fixed, and players were seen arriving at PPL Park on Saturday wearing T-shirts that read "Dignity isn't bought."

"Give Panama credit. They played better than we did (Saturday) from top to bottom," Beasley said. "They definitely deserved to win. They played good football. We just didn't bring it."

That was a problem often in a disappointing Gold Cup for the Americans, who entered the tournament as favorites to repeat as champions after they beat Panama in the 2013 final. But they were stunned by Jamaica 2-1 in the semis and had their worst Gold Cup finish since losing to Colombia, an invited guest, in a shootout in the 2000 quarterfinals.

After the United States squandered a two-goal lead in a 4-2 loss to Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup final, Bob Bradley was fired as coach, leading to Klinsmann's hire. U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said there are no parallels between that situation and this year's, noting recent exhibition victories over Germany and the Netherlands.

"It's obviously a disappointment," Gulati said. "I wouldn't call it a step back."

Roberto Nurse scored for Panama in the 55th minute, and Clint Dempsey evened the score in the 70th with his tournament-high seventh goal.

"This team will grow," Klinsmann said. "This team will get better. The youngsters will learn from their mistakes on the field."

Panama was missing several key players because of injury or suspension, including its top goalkeeper. But it dominated play against a sluggish U.S. team, with 13 shots on goal to the Americans' two.