Watch Dom Dwyer break the deadlock against Panama courtesy of Kelyn Rowe

A sluggish first half saw prospects on the exciting B side that beat Ghana a week before dim a bit. Panama saw just as much of the ball as the U.S., and enjoyed better chances as time wore on.

The second half changed all that, with a wonderful couple of touches by Kelyn Rowe and subsequent cross met by another quality finish from America’s new boyfriend, Dom Dwyer.

I don’t mean to take away from Dwyer’s finish. It was a difficult one that he got exactly right, coming across his body to nestle the ball inside the far post. But the touches from Rowe to create the space for the cross were something special. After coming up with two of the best chances for the U.S. in the first half, Rowe has opened up the game for both sides and the U.S. hold a 1-0 lead going forward. Come on you Yanks!