Implossion: US loses to Panama

Photo credit: Fox Soccer

Seriously? Not a typo? Bound to happen? How many headlines do we require to convey the message? The US just isn't that good at the moment. It is possible the team peaked at South Africa 2010 and now we are picking up the pieces and restructuring. You could even make a case for 2009 being a higher point for the American squad. No, the USA was outclassed, outdefended, outplayed and just not good enough.

There were no heroics from Donovan, no clinching goal from Bornstein, no superhuman saves from Howard, no cohesion in the central midfield or defense, no real spark from Agudelo. And we were at home? And we think we can win the tournament?

If I had been a commentator today, I would have duct-taped my mouth like Carlos Albert did when the Mexico U-23 squad failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. Yes, it really was that bad. My non-soccer friends were just as disgusted and pointed to sad details that even I was blind to. Where was Goodson and Ream? And our Captain America--Bocanegra? Who do we turn to now? Onyewu still isn't 100% and DeMerrit is with his club. Lichaj? Spector? Bornstein? Are you also cringing now?

And we cringe not just because of today. Every team is allowed to have bad games. Even Spain, with its all-star cast lost at the World Cup (not to mention the US game in 2009). We cringe because there are other teams in this tournament capable of significantly more damage if the US has another bad day. What if it had been Chicharito instead of Blas Perez? Dos Santos instead of Tejada? Saborio? Maynor Figueroa? Need we say more?

Today was the highest lesson in humility. Donovan mentioned how they "needed to learn from this game." We sure hope they did. The dreams and thoughts after the Canada game, a near-perfect game for the US, were quickly erased today by a team of significantly less stature. What else can we say? Bradley? Our US coach has taken the US to new heights and relevance. But we have also seen his game unravel--early. In the first half hour of play. Over and over again. I find it difficult to see Bob Bradley remain at the helm if the US does not capture the trophy. And right now that doesn't seem likely.

Player ratings:
Howard...............5.5
Cherundolo............6
Ream.....................3.5
Goodson................5.5
Bocanegra..............4
Dempsey...............7
Donovan.................5
Bradley..................6
Jones.....................4
Agudelo.................4
Altidore..................5

Substitutes: Kljestan (6), Bedoya (6), Wondolowski (5)