sports

Soccer team drops second straight

Panama lost to the United States 1-0 yesterday in an Olympic qualifier, all but ending its hopes of going to the summer games in China.

A first-half penalty kick that was successfully converted by the American side was the difference in the game.

An American player was tripped by the Panamanian goalkeeper as he drove toward goal unmarked.

For the Panamanians, it was their second straight loss by a 1-0 score. The team lost to Honduras on Tuesday when it conceded a last-minute goal.

And, as was the case Tuesday, it squandered a late opportunity to even the score.

A Panamanian shot went just wide of the far post with about three minutes left in the game. Although the U.S. goalkeeper was beaten, the shot squirted just outside the post.

The game was mostly an even match, with Panama having the better of the scoring chances. In the first half, a header off a corner kick sailed past the crossbar. That was the best opportunity either team had until the penalty.

Panama will face Cuba on Saturday, but depending on the result of that team’s game with Honduras yesterday, Panama’s fate may already be decided, as only 2 teams advance out of the pool.