National cup

National Stadium
Spectators: 1028 (Terracing: 772, Seating: 236, VIP seats: 20) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Martín Ulloa got the match started through his kick off. Lyuben Karavelov hit a great freekick 2 minutes into the match. In the 3rd minute of the match Jaime Pérez shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Jesus Rios showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Jesus Rios showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Martín Ulloa, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Russell Hare in the 12th minute of play forced U21 Panama's goalkeeper Alexander Pérez to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 15 minutes, Heraclides Palma mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U21 Panama and the U21 United States players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of U21 United States booed when U21 Panama was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 15 match minutes in a wonderful position. Heraclides Palma didn't get a good kick on the ball. Russell Hare struck a weak shot in the 15th minute. Alexander Pérez didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 United States. 24 minutes had been played when some careless play by U21 Panama's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Russell Hare was slow to take the kick. During this time U21 United States's players had a chance to rest. Jesus Rios showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Martín Ulloa in the 32nd minute of the match. After 38 played minutes U21 Panama got a freekick which was hit by Alberto Jaen. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Giancarlo Mora during the 41st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 41st minute, Giancarlo Mora hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-3.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Laurence Espinoza made a kick off. In the 53rd minute of the match, Alberto Jaen tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Jesus Rios saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. When U21 Panama's Alberto Jaen in the 53rd minute got a chance for a shot 53rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 United States's goalie prevented a goal. Alexander Pérez stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Laurence Espinoza's shot from short distance in the 59th minute. Jesus Rios made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from David Herbruger in the 61st minute of play. U21 United States made a substitution. Jesus Woodward replaced Russell Hare. U21 United States made a substitution. Adolfo Horne replaced Charlton McDonough. After 63 minutes U21 United States's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Heraclides Gutierrez who took care of the corner kick. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Laurence Espinoza in the 66th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Alexander Pérez saved U21 Panama from getting behind. In the 67th match minute, U21 United States was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adolfo Horne to maneuver through the defense. Nathanial Coppack's late challenge caught a U21 Panama's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nathanial Coppack helped the player get up and apologised. In the 75th minute, Nathanial Coppack hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, U21 United States's Nathanial Coppack got a free kick in the 75th minute. Alexander Pérez took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Laurence Espinoza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 80 minutes had been played when some careless play by U21 Panama's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Nathanial Coppack was slow to take the kick. During this time U21 United States's players had a chance to rest. The corner led U21 United States's Nathanial Coppack to fire away a dangerous shot which Alexander Pérez despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Alexander Pérez made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Laurence Espinoza in the 81st minute of play. The audience was convinced that Laurence Espinoza's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Alexander Pérez was relentless in the 82nd minute of the game. Laurence Espinoza sent away a hard shot on goal in the 86th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Alexander Pérez made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Laurence Espinoza in the 86th minute of play. Alexander Pérez showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Laurence Espinoza, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. In the 95th minute, Laurence Espinoza ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Alexander Pérez was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-3. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched U21 Panama eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.