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USA 1-1 Panama: 3 things we learned

By Dan Voicescu

NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 08: Ismael Diaz of Panama competes with Dax McCarty of the United States during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B match between the United States and Panama at Nissan Stadium on July 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 08: Ismael Diaz of Panama competes with Dax McCarty of the United States during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B match between the United States and Panama at Nissan Stadium on July 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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The U.S. opened their quest for the 2017 Gold Cup against Panama in Nashville, Tennessee. Here are three things we learned after a lackluster 1-1 draw.

The U.S. Men’s National Team failed to impress in their Gold Cup opener against Panama, settling for a 1-1 draw after Miguel Camargo canceled out Dom Dwyer’s opener. Here are three takeaways.

The Joe Corona experiment needs to come to an end

Joe Corona started out as an attacking center mid, alongside Alejandro Bedoya and Kelyn Rowe in Bruce Arena’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Playing in the number 10 spot (and wearing the shirt) for the USMNT carries certain expectations and responsibilities, especially in a role supporting a lone striker.

Corona was given a huge opportunity in this opening Gold Cup game and needed to prove he can be a creative spark plug, either through sheer effort, or by taking players on or by providing service to the other attacking mids as well as to the lone forward. Safe to say Corona failed to deliver on all counts.

There was nothing in the way of deceptiveness or ingenuity in Corona’s game. He even failed to acquit himself of basic requirements, such as showing up to receive the ball consistently as a passing option or providing service to Dom Dwyer on those rare occasions he had open space in front of him. On more than one occasion Corona killed potentially dangerous counterattack opportunities either by turning the ball over or failing to provide the quick ball forward.

Graham Zusi is not the right-back of the future

The lack of a bona fide right back is one of the many concerns that this game raised. Although a starting right-back for the MLS All-Star team after the MLS fans’ vote, Graham Zusi continues to underwhelm as a right-back for the US national team. This is largely due to his not possessing the skill set needed to complement the not-so-quick and not-so-mobile center-backs in the four-man backline.

Zusi got exposed numerous times, getting beaten with the long ball over the top or failing to promptly close down opponents. He was also second to the ball on more occasions than the U.S. fans liked to see. These (largely) mental lapses may be overcome by a more agile center-back pairing, but on a hot afternoon in Nashville it’s a lot to ask of Omar Gonzalez or Matt Besler to provide cover out wide for a right-back who consistently got lost in no man’s land.

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Dom Dwyer is steadily climbing up the depth chart for Russia 2018

In a game in desperate need of scoring opportunities for the U.S. team, Dom Dwyer capitalized on the single opportunity he had. Following a great delivery from Kelyn Rowe (one of the few bright spots on the team), Dwyer came up with a textbook finish to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. With a quick burst away to create space between him and his defender, Dwyer sent the ball into the far corner with his first touch. It was a first-class finish and the second goal in as many appearances for the England-born striker. With this track of efficiency and a general active presence, even as a lone striker with limited support, Dwyer’s stock is rising.

Overall, this was not the auspicious beginning the U.S. team was looking for. In terms of both personnel and tactics, the game left fans with more questions than answers.

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