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The U.S. men's national team has only lost to Panama once, back in the group stage of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and boasts 11 victories in 14 overall meetings. After its dominant performance against Panama Sunday afternoon at the StubHub Center, the USA made it 12 wins in 15.
Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley got the scoring started with a goal direct off a corner kick. Known as an "Olimpico" goal, Bradley's curling effort caught goalkeeper Jaime Penedo by surprise and nestled into the far side netting to give the USMNT a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute.
Video highlight of Michael Bradley's goal
The Yanks doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey scored on a breakaway. Running a quick counterattack that started with a Panama turnover at the center line, LA Galaxy forward Gyassi Zardes, making his first start for the national team, threaded a perfect pass behind the defense for Dempsey to latch onto. A quick move to elude the goalkeeper gave the USMNT captain an easy goal.
Video highlight of Clint Dempsey's goal
San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski entered the game to start the second half in place of Jozy Altidore to earn his 27th cap for the U.S. men's national team. Wondolowski has 9 goals in his international career, but none against Panama.
In the USA's only loss to Panama, back in 2011, Wondolowski missed a straightforward scoring opportunity that may have allowed the USMNT to preserve its near-perfect record against La Marea Roja. Instead, he had to account for that miss and has used it as motivation to make him train harder so that he will be ready for the next chance.
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Redemption has eluded Wondolowski thus far, but he had the second half against Panama to break his scoring duck against the Central American side. Unfortunately for the 2012 MLS MVP, his one best chance to score went wanting when he failed to convert a shot at the far post midway through the half. Wondolowski did not come close to scoring throughout the rest of the stanza, but the USMNT held on for a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Full video highlights of USA vs Panama