This week, U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann told media that he hoped his team could muster a victory after the hard work they’ve put in during the month-long camp.
On Sunday afternoon, his wish came true as the squad secured a 2-0 victory over Panama at the StubHub Center in Carson, California in front of a crowd of 20,271. The match marked the team’s first home international friendly of 2015, as well as its first win.
USMNT Captain and Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey helped assure the win with his goal in the 37th minute on a well-timed through ball by MLS rival Gyasi Zardes.
The goal marked Dempsey’s 40th international goal, putting him just 17 behind Landon Donovan who holds the USMNT record. Dempsey played 80 minutes before subbing out late in the second half.
Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley opened the scoring with a goal directly off a corner kick in the 28th minute.
The team began the match with a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, which proved to be more comfortable than the 3-5-2 the squad opened with in a 2-1 loss to Chile on January 28.
By the end of the match, 15 MLS players took the to the field for the U.S., with nine appearing in the starting 11. Panama had 3 MLS players on its roster, including forward Blas Pérez and goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, who both started for the team.
Dempsey is scheduled to return back to Seattle to rejoin the Sounders as the team trains this week at Starfire Sports before traveling to Arizona for the second trip of preseason camp. The Rave Green will be competing in the 2015 Desert Diamond Cup beginning on Wednesday, February 18.
