U.S. draws with Panama in Group B opener of Gold Cup

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United States and Panama each scored early in the second half for a 1-1 tie in the first match of Group B play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday.

English-born Dom Dwyer gave the Americans the lead in the 50th minute to become the ninth man to score in his first two U.S. national team matches.

Miguel Camargo, who plays for New York City FC of Major League Soccer, got the equalizer 10 minutes later for Panama.

Jose Calderon had three saves for Panama; Brad Guzan had four for the U.S. before a crowd of 47,622 at Nissan Stadium.

It was the fourth straight 1-1 draw between the teams.

The Gold Cup is the biannual championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Nicaragua and Martinique, which play later on Saturday, comprise the other two nations in Group B. The top two from the three groups and the two best third-place teams qualify for the quarterfinals.

The next Group B matches are Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., as Panama plays Nicaragua and the U.S. challenges Martinique.

Dwyer was the recipient of set-up by Kelyn Rowe from the left corner. Dwyer got inside position on Roberto Chen for the cross and scored on a left-footed shot from 12 yards.

Panama immediately regained the momentum and tied the match after coming close on several occasions.

Edgar Barcenas found Gabriel Torres in the middle of the penalty area and Guzan made the initial save, but Camargo outmuscled three U.S. players for the rebound shot that he powered past the goalkeeper.

Each team came close to scoring just before halftime with Kellyn Acosta of the U.S. sending an 18-yard shot just wide of the left post in the second minute of stoppage time. Panama attempted to counter, only to have Ismael Diaz’s strike curl outside the left frame at the other end.