Chicago Fire midfielder Dax McCarty and the United States Men's National Team kicked off their 2017 Gold Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Panama at Nashville's Nissan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Following a scoreless first half, newly-minted U.S. citizen Dom Dwyer bagged his second goal in as many matches to give the U.S. the lead in the 50th minute. Panama would find their equalizer 10 minutes later, when Miguel Camargo fired a rebounded attempt past U.S. 'keeper Brad Guzan. Each nation picked up their first point in the tournament's Group B, with group mates Nicaragua and Martinique still to play.
McCarty started and went the full 90 minutes on the day, helping control the pace of play from his deep-lying spot in the center midfield alongside FC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta. Saturday's match earned McCarty his eighth cap for the national team since his U.S. debut in 2009, and additionally marked his first-ever appearance in an official competition for the USMNT.
The U.S. resume Group B play at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 12, when they take on Martinique at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium.
