by team press officer:
USA DEFEATS PANAMA 2-1 IN GOLD CUP SOCCER ACTION
DALLAS (Wednesday, July 14, 1993) -- Eric Wynalda and Thomas Dooley netted
goals five minutes apart as the U.S. national team came from behind to defeat
Panama 2-1 and win its second match in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer
championship at the Cotton Bowl.
Wynalda scored his 14th international goal, and his second of the
tournament, in the 68th minute, taking a pass from Dooley and placing the ball
in the upper-right corner of the net.
Dooley slipped past the Panamanian defense in the 73rd minute to knock Roy
Wegerle's cross from the left wing past goalkeeper Ricardo James from six yards
out. Wegerle entered the match in the second half and provided an instant lift
for the Americans.
The win, achieved before 13,771 fans, gave the United States (2-0, 4 points)
the lead in Group A of the regional championship tournament. Panama (0-2, 0
points) is last in the four-nation group. In the night's first game, Jamaica
(1-1, 2 points) surprised Honduras (1-1, 2 points) with a 3-1 victory.
A U.S. win or tie against Honduras in the team's final first-round match
Saturday at 8 p.m. CDT ensures the USA of a first-place finish and a spot in
the July 21 semi-final match at the Cotton Bowl.
The U.S. goals offset a nice performance by the Panama goalkeeper James, who
withstood constant U.S. pressure in the second half and made diving saves on
shots by Wynalda and Cobi Jones.
Percibal Piggott scored Panama's goal, stunning the Americans with a 31st
minute blast from the left wing. Rene Mendieta set up the goal, heading a long
ball on to Piggott's path.
Gold Cup Group B soccer action continues tomorrow in Mexico City when Canada
faces Martinique and Costa Rica battles Mexico.
Game report:
Attendance: 13,771
Weather: Warm, humid, 90 degrees.
Lineups:
USA -- Tony Meola, Desmond Armstrong, Cle Kooiman, Fernando Clavijo, Alexi
Lalas, Thomas Dooley, Chris Henderson, Cobi Jones, Tab Ramos, Eric Wynalda,
Peter Vermes (Roy Wegerle, 45; Dominic Kinnear, 77).
PAN -- Ricardo James, Franklin Delgado, Alfredo Poyatos, Erick Medina (Neftali
Diaz, 88), Rogelio Clark, Frank Lozada, Jorge Mendez (Ruben Atencio, 80),
Armando J. Dely Valdez, Jesus Julio, Percibal Piggott, Rene Mendieta.
Statistical Summary:
US Pan
Shots 15 9
Saves 5 10
C. kicks 11 1
Fouls 19 15
Offside 0 8
Misconduct summary:
PAN -- Mendieta (caution) 63.
PAN -- Lozada (caution) 64.
USA -- Ramos (caution) 69.
PAN -- Poyatos (caution) 74.
Officials:
Referee: Roberto Parisius, Surinam.
Linesman: Berny Ulloa, Costa Rica.
Linesman: Luis Torres, Costa Rica.
Reserve: Bob Sawtell, Canada.
Rolf Olsen The University of Tulsa, UNIR-TU
phone: (918) 631-2653 Tulsa, OK 74104-3189
fax: (918) 631-2035 U.S.A.