The U.S. U-23s took a 3-0 lead within the first 30 minutes of its Olympic qualifying opener against Panama before notching a 4-3 win thanks to Bobby ConveyÆs 79th minute goal Feb. 3 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
''We're always happy to get three points, but we're just disappointed about the manner in which we did it,'' said U.S. coach Glenn Myernick,
Bobby Convey opened the scoring in the 7th minute by converting a rebound off Panama keeper Jaime Penedo after a Brad Davis free kick.
In the 28th minute, forward Landon Donovan eluded two defenders down the right flank before setting up Davis for the second goal.
Less than a minute later, Donovan scored after a give-and-go with DaMarcus Beasley.
But in the second half, Jose Luis Garces scored twice and William Aguilar struck with a rocket past U.S. keeper D.J. Countess. The game was tied, 3-3, with 19 minutes left.
The Americans, who had not managed a shot on goal in the second half, pulled off the victory after Ed JohnsonÆs shot, following prep work by Beasley, banged off a Panama defender and into ConveyÆs path, who slammed home the gamewinner and his second goal of the game.
ôIt's obviously one of the craziest games that I've ever been a part of, said D.J. Countess.
Feb. 3 in Guadalajara, Mexico
USA 4 Panama 3.
Goals: Convey 7, Davis 28, Donovan 29, Convey 79; Garces 53, Henriquez 57, Garces 71.
USA — Countess, Wingert, Borchers, Marshall, Whitbread (Burciaga, 55), Beckerman, Beasley, Davis (Pause, 84), Convey, Donovan, Eskandarian (Johnson, 75).
Panama — Penedo, Lopez, Stewart (Avila, 46), Baloy, Henriquez, Mitre, Torres (Escobar, 46), Miranda, Aguilar (Perez, 77), Garces, Tejada.
Yellow cards: USA — Davis 17, Beckerman 21; Henriquez 33, Lopez 50, Baloy 80.
Referee: Gilberto Alcala (MEX)
Att.: 1,500.