U.S. wasn't perfect, but it's off to Gold Cup semifinals

	Clint Dempsey and the Americans, who are eyeing a fourth Gold Cup, improved to 8-0-1 since Bob Bradley became coach. Gail Oskin/WireImage.com
	RELATED • U.S. edges Panama to reach Gold Cup semis

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Gillette Stadium's "Curva Sud," as I like to think of the south end in Foxborough, was reserved for Panamanian fans during Saturday's U.S.-Panama Gold Cup quarterfinal match.

They were a jaunty bunch, probably a little tipsy, and ready to cheer their compadres on to victory. They had a great little band, a bouncy Central Americanized jazz outfit -- a couple of coronets doing mariachi-infused be-bop, a drummer keeping an offbeat rhythm, and a cowbell. More cowbell!

They were jamming away long before the kickoff. And the fun atmosphere only got better when the stadium deejay spun Def Leppard's Let's Get Rocked! I was sure this match was going to be something to write about. Panamanian jazz and the Lepp -- even Adrenalize era Lepp -- just have that effect on me.

Well, here I am writing about it, but I'm feeling anything but rocked. The Americans got a 2-1 win, the result they needed to advance to the semifinals -- where they'll meet Canada, who cruised past Guatemala 3-0 -- but they didn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Last Tuesday, the U.S. came out against El Salvador -- admittedly, a weak side this year -- and put on a show. Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan looked spry and crafty all night, giving the opposing defense fits from minute one to minute 90. The midfield pressure was relentless. And the Michael Parkhurst-led backline held such poise, I actually compared him to Franco Baresi. It was a complete blitzkrieg that left the Salvadorans breathless, demoralized, and without a shred of hope.

And it left me singing the praises of the U.S. Hmph. Maybe I should call it a heckuva job, Brownie moment. Saturday, I was equally disappointed.

The U.S. just didn't look like world-beaters. They created chances early, but didn't put them away, and they let Panama -- a 10-man Panama, no less -- claw back and make a game of it.

Yes, the Trinidadian referee had a shocker, as did the two Mexican linesmen. But you just knew it was going to be one of those underperforming days when "Golden Boy" Donovan missed two clear breakaways in the first half. He needs to finish those chances. Needs to. But Landon looked a little out of sorts all day.

I don't blame him entirely. U.S. coach Bob Bradley started him on the right flank. L.D. needs to be up top, where he can tempt the offside line, and come back to receive the ball and turn his man. He and Dempsey were so effective up top together against El Salvador: playing off each other. It's no coincidence that Dempsey delivered the pass in the 60th minute that finally unlocked the Panama defense and sprung Donovan in behind. Landon was taken down. The ref blew his whistle. Landon converted the penalty -- after duly going through his silly PK-taking routine.

Two minutes later, Carlos Bocanegra headed home a DaMarcus Beasley free kick from the right side, and the U.S. appeared ready to coast home. It was time to pull out the fangs and put Panama out of its misery. Time to stomp on their relatively minnowish opponents -- something the big sides of the world do regularly -- and cruise home. The task looked even easier when Manuel Torres was ejected for a second yellow card in the 76th minute.