Gregg Berhalter’s debut as the U.S. men’s national team head coach could not have been scripted any better, as his side easily defeated Panama 3-0 on Sunday night. Djordje Mihailovic, one of five players to make his international debut in the starting lineup, opened the scoring in the 40th minute. Los Angeles FC teammates Walker Zimmerman and Christian Ramirez then provided the difference in the scoreline, scoring in the 80th and 88th minutes, respectively.
In addition to Mihailovic, Nick Lima, Daniel Lovitz, Corey Baird, and Jeremy Ebobisse were handed their first caps by being named in Berhalter’s starting lineup. Berhalter, who replaced interim manager Dave Sarachan as the USA's head coach, utilized a 4-3-3 formation, with Michael Bradley anchoring the midfield.
D.C. United’s Paul Arriola earned his 18th cap when he entered the game in the 75th minute for Baird. Fellow club teammate Russell Canouse, who is looking for his first cap, was an unused substitute on the night, as Berhalter elected to introduce Wil Trapp in place of Bradley late on in the game. Canouse will next have a chance to earn his first international appearance on Saturday, when the U.S. plays Costa Rica.
The Americans controlled the game for most of the 90 minutes, and they were rewarded for being on the front foot when Mihailovic scored in the 40th minute. A pass from Lima to Gyasi Zardes was knocked out wide, where Baird sent the ball back into the box. Mihailovic, from the Chicago Fire, hit a low shot that Panamanian keeper Eddie Roberts could only get a touch to as the U.S. went up 1-0.
USA goalie Zack Steffen was rarely tested by Panama all night, but had to make a diving save in the 56th minute to keep the United States up by a goal. Steffen, the soon-to-be Manchester City keeper, was later replaced by New York City FC’s Sean Johnson.
Lima broke up a Panama counterattack from a U.S. corner in the 80th minute with a great sliding tackle, and then followed it up with a precise cross into the box. Zimmerman, who was still up from the corner, beat Roberts to the ball in the air, heading into the empty goal.
A burst of acceleration from substitute Jonathan Lewis created the third goal, as the NYC midfielder worked himself into space in the box. Lewis made life easy for Ramirez, who only had to tap the ball into the goal from the doorstep for his first international goal in his first cap, putting a bow on a successful night for the red, white and blue.
Steven Streff, a lifelong fan of the beautiful game, has been covering D.C. United since the 2009 season for various outlets. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram.