My God. The United States National Team completely stole two points from Panama just moments ago with what looked like an offside goal in extra time. But my God did they look awful. Just awful. Dead on the ball. No spark. No leadership. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I feel sorry for Panama.

Let’s get this straight–I liked everything about the starting lineup except for the defense. I was happy to see Reyna in a holding midfield position, I liked the insertion of Mathis as the attacking midfielder, and I wanted to see Ching and Casey up top. I groaned at the defensive selection, though, and it turns out to be for good reason. Pope, Vanney, Bocanegra, and Hejduk. Of those four, I trust only the Blackmouth.

US Lineup Against Panama
Keller-Looked pissed at his defense for 3/4 of the game and for good reason. Made a good save on the first shot on the goal. Defense completely let him down.
Vanney-Ususally, I like Vanney. But not in 2004. He looked bad tonight. Bad distribution, bad marking. Just plain bad.
Hejduk-Frankie sucks. Memo to Bruce. Frankie always sucks. Tonight was no exception. Get him out of the lineup. Forever.
Bocanegra-Carlos is awesome. He was the only defender who didn’t look like a lethargic clown.
Pope-Shaky, slow, hesitant. This is Eddie Pope, right?
Beasley-Looked like the regular Beas in the first half and a shadow of that player in the second. Out of everyone, the weather effected his game the most.
Donovan-Disappeared for long periods in both halves. Like Beasley, he needs a flat, dry field in order to really play his game and he didn’t get that tonight, but his whiff did set up the dramatic finale’.
MathisHad a couple flashes of the ol’ Clint in the first half, which was a welcome sight. A good save denied him a goal on the breakaway. He started to fade in the second and that’s why Bruce took him out, but I’m not sure I agreed with that decision. I think the problem began behind him, starting with…
Reyna-Look, most fans will tell you different but Reyna is #$&*@! overrated, it makes me sick. The captain is supposed to inspire and lift the team. Reyna led by example tonight by playing lazy passes and laboring to get back on defense. He did nothing, nothing for the team after they went down.
Casey-Not a stellar performance from Casey but I still like him. Crap service. He also took a knock early on that may have hobbled him.
Ching-See Casey above. Crap service. Can’t blame him too much but had a chance he should have finished.
Jones (sub)-Didn’t do much except for save the team two points.
McBride (sub)-See Casey, Ching above. Crap service.
Lewis (sub)-Did Eddie Lewis really take the field?

I’ve said it before elsewhere, but the US will not be a convincing power until they take their %$^@#ing chances. Ching missed one, Mathis missed one and it almost spelled disaster. The US also has a strong inclination to play down against their opponents. I suppose I should be happy with five points from three games, two of which were on the road.

But I’m not.