And just like that, it's all over. Another long, drawn-out 120-minute brawl has confirmed the U.S. men's national team's Gold Cup exit. There will be no repeat win, no second trophy of the summer. They survived one shootout, but couldn't emerge from another.
Live by the shootout, die by the shootout, indeed. After toppling Canada in the quarterfinal, the U.S. faltered from the spot in the semis, with Panama booking their place in the Gold Cup final after a 1-1 draw. Jesus Ferreira and Cristian Roldan misses proved costly as the tournament ends in frustration for the U.S. team.
Panama deserved the win. They were just as good, if not better, than the USMNT throughout the 120 minutes. The U.S. looked like a team that had been taken to extra time against Canada, using up any little bit of energy they had left. They looked lethargic and slow and just a bit off it, and that was all Panama needed.
Los Canaleros deserved a few goals, to be fair. The U.S. were bailed out by tight refereeing decisions several times before Panama attacker Ivan Anderson beat the offside trap and burst in alone on Matt Turner after 99 minutes, scoring what had looked like the winner.
Ferreira, though, seemingly saved the day with an absolutely stunning equalizer moments later. It was a blink-and-you-miss-it finish, as he volleyed home from out of nowhere to send the U.S. to the shootout.
Even so, it wasn't to be, and it was a disappointing end for the USMNT, with Wednesday night's performance not one of a team that deserved to go on and win the tournament. The run is over, and rightfully so. This U.S. team, ultimately, fell short.
GOAL rates the USMNT from Snapdragon Stadium...