United States Vs. Panama: USA Emerges Victorious In 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, 1-0 [PHOTOS]

Both teams clearly knew what they were up against as Panama and the U.S. soccer squads took the field Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. The U.S. was obviously frazzled without its head coach, Jurgen Kilsmann, who was suspended for his actions during his team's semifinal match against Honduras when he was said to have "thrown the ball in a violent manner" as an expression of anger toward the referees in thr 87th minute of play. Still, Panama felt the pressure as well as both teams remained cautious throughout the match. It was ultimately the U.S. that pulled out the win with a score of 1-0, and was able to hoist the Gold Cup.

The first 45 of the game was oddly slow, fans noted via Twitter, with each team getting only a handful of shots on goal as both relied heavily on defenses and kept the ball back. Panama got only two chances, from Marcos Sanchez within the first 10 minutes and Manuel Torres in the 28th minute. Sanchez came close to scoring, but ended up sailing the ball right into the hands of the goaltender. The U.S. didn't fair much better with its four shots on goal from Stuart Holden, who took a shot one minute after Panama tried on his team's goal, Alejandro Bedoya in the 34th minute and again in the 43rd, and Matt Besler in the 41st.

The U.S. came back fiercly in the final 45, with Clarence Goodson attempting to drive the ball in at the 47th minute of play, which went wide. Landon Donovan came right back at minute 55, but in much the same fashion as Goodson's shot, it went off target. It was the unsuspecting Brek Shea who broke the silence in the game, scoring for the U.S. at minute 68. Meanwhile, Panama began trying to pick up steam after a total lack of scoring chances up until the 71 minute of play with Roberto Chen making an attempt, followed closely by Jairo Jimenez at minute 78 and Sanchez in minute 86. Despite the team's best efforts, it proved to be too late for the Latin American squad, with the U.S. victoriously lifting the Gold Cup with a final score of 1-0.