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U.S. sneak past Panama on penalties in Gold Cup final
In the second half of regulation time, Panama were also superior. In the 51st minute, Tejada almost scored a sensational goal with an overhead kick from the edge of the area that Keller tipped around the post. LUNGING VOLLEY Twenty-four minutes later, Dely Valdes chested down a cross and beat Keller with a lunging volley at the far post but the ball then bounced back off the post. U.S. coach Bruce Arena missed the game as a result of a match suspension after being ejected in Thursday's semi-final victory over Honduras for swearing at an official. The Americans were coached by his assistant Glenn Myernick on Sunday. In the first half, the Panamanians twice came close to scoring in the first 20 minutes. Julio Medina beat the offside trap in the seventh minute and rounded the onrushing Keller on the edge of the box. He passed inside to Tejada whose lofted shot curled just wide. Felipe Baloy then had the ball in the net for the visitors, but was ruled marginally offside. After a slow start, the Americans pushed forward and should have scored in the 24th minute when a low shot by John O'Brien eluded goalkeeper Penedo. However, Jimmy Conrad, arriving at the far post, put the ball over the bar from just one yard out with the goal at his mercy. After Keller saved a powerful shot by Blanco and a Gabriel Gomez free-kick, Clint Dempsey's strong header was tipped over by Penedo in the 38th minute.
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