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The U.S. side couldn't find its rhythm and a header from
midfielder Anibal Godoy following a corner kick in the 54th
minute gave Panama the advantage to roars from the home crowd.
Godoy was taken off on a stretcher in the 67th minute with an
injury and a collision between American Kellyn Acosta and
Panamanian Armando Cooper late in the second half led to an
extended stoppage of play as medical trainers tended to each on
the pitch.
Moments later, Panama midfielder Christian Martinez was also
taken off the field with an apparent leg issue.
"It was clear we didn't have our best stuff," coach Gregg
Berhalter told reporters. "I think we came up short in a number
of areas."
Berhalter said the focus would pivot now to "regrouping" for
Wednesday's match against Costa Rica.
"Overall, we performed below the expectations we have for
ourselves," he added.
The match took place four years to the day since the United
States suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat to Trinidad & Tobago
that caused them to miss the 2018 World Cup, the first time they
failed to reach the tournament since 1986.
The loss on Sunday dropped the United States to second in the
qualifying table, after opening the round with two draws and
beating Honduras and Jamaica.
The top three teams qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 with
the fourth-placed finisher going into an intercontinental
playoff for another spot.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Tom Hogue &
Shri Navaratnam)
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