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USA vs. Panama - USA's 3 Keys To Victory

3 Keys For The USA Tonight Versus Panama
1. The Ballad of Eddie Johnson
Eddie Johnson has struggled to find a constant level of good form on the international scene since making his first appearance in 2004.  He has been given multiple opportunities over the past 9 years to seal a starting spot.  This match could be a possible rebirth for the 29 year old. 
The match will be played at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.  This is the home field of Johnson's club team, Seattle Sounders FC.  In a qualifying matching against Panama, in 2004, he recorded a hat trick as a substitute.  The USA ended up victorious by a scored of 6-0.  All the stars are aligned for Johnson to have a significant impact on tonight's game.  
He may not start but chances are he will be used as a substitute.  He appeared in the 83rd minute as a replacement for Jozy Altidore against Jamaica last week and also as a sub in the 56th minute against Germany.  With the absence of Graham Zusi, he has move up on the list of players possibly seeing action tonight.  
2. Possession: Quality, Amount and Distribution  
In USA's 2-1 last minute victory over Jamaica they out possessed The Reggae Boyz and controlled the tempo for most of the game.  With 56.7% of the possession and completing a total of 461 passes, they took care of business and were rewarded with a wonderful goal from Brad Evans.  
However, a large part of controlling the possession was through Jermaine Jones and Graham Zusi.  Jones is out do to a concussion while Zusi will miss tonight's match due to a suspension.  Whoever is chosen to replace "Zeus" in the starting XI will be tasked with providing constant and quality service from the flanks.  The youngster Joe Corona, who has been used as a wide player before, will likely make a cameo.  Although, I see veteran Brad Davis as the likely starter.  The options of filling the gap left by Jones, is a little bit more open.  The favored choices would be either Stuart Holden, Geoff Cameron or Sacha "Can I Ask You A" Kljestan.  Holden is more attacking minded and his return has been much awaited after an injury plagued 2 years, while Kljestan hasn't sold me on being a viable choice for the starting XI.  Geoff Cameron has shown proven he can compete on the international level.  Playing for Stoke City in the EPL has helped raise his overall ability and he will most likely be called upon to start along side Michael Bradley.  
3. The Number's Don't Lie
History is on the side of Uncle Sam's Army: the USA is 8-1-2 versus Panama.  This includes a record of 7-1-1 on home soil. 
World Cup Qualifying Group Rankings
  • USA is currently in 2nd, with a record of 2-1-1 
  • Panama is currently in 4th, with a record of 1-3-0 

    Scoring
    • USA has scored 7 goals in there last 3 matches
    • Panama has scored 2 goals in there last 3 matches
    • USA has out scored their opponents 8-7 in there last 3 matches 
    • Panama has been outscored by their opponents 9-2 in there last 3 matches
    FIFA/Coca Cola World Rankings
    • USA is currently ranked 28th overall 
    • Panama is currently ranked 43th overall 


    Rosters

    USA

    Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England), Tim Howard (Everton/England), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
    Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla/Mexico), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/England), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (Brondby/Denmark), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/Germany), Michael Parkhurst (Augsburg/Germany)
    Midfielders: Michael Bradley (AS Roma/Italy), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/Mexico), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Stuart Holden (Bolton/England), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht/Belgium)
    Forwards: Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna/Austria), Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur)/England, Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)
    Panama
    Goalkeepers: Luis Mejía (CA Fénix/Uruguay), Jaime Penedo (CSD Municipal/Guatemala), Alex Rodríguez (Sporting San Miguelito/Panama)
    Defenders: Felipe Baloy (Santos Laguna/Mexico), Roberto Chen (San Francisco FC/Panama), Harold Cummings (Árabe Unido/Panama), Luis Henríquez (Lech Poznan/Poland), Leonel Parris (Tauro FC/Panama), Román Torres (Millonarios/Colombia), Carlos Rodríguez (Chepo/Panama)
    Midfielder: Nelson Barahona (Itagüí/Colombia), Armando Cooper (Godoy Cruz/Argentina), Rolando Escobar (Deportivo Anzoátegui/Venezuela), Anibal Godoy (Chorrillo FC/Panama), Gabriel Gómez (Junior/Colombia), Amílcar Henríquez (Independiente Medellín/Colombia), Juan de Díos Pérez (Tauro FC/Panama), Alberto Quintero (Chorrillo FC/Panama), Marcos Sánchez (unattached)
    Forwards: Rolando Blackburn (FK Senica/Slovakia), Luis Tejada (Toluca/Mexico), Gabriel Torres (Zamora FC/Venezuela)


    Prediction: USA over Panama

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