Adu strikes again!

#Photo - Doug Benc - Getty Images

Freddy Adu score his second goal in as many games, this time to help the US get past Panama, by the score of 1-0.
Freddy scored from the spot in the 42 minute, after Altidore was taken down in the box.
Freddy was once again the most dangerous man in the US squad.

Click on the link below for a ticker of Freddy's performance, courtesy of one of our readers Nick Giffen



Freddy Adu Game ticker:

30 seconds in - Freddy sends in a good cross from the left side that just misses the head of a teammate, and Panama has to clear for a corner. Freddy makes his mark on the game early.


10 minutes - The USA has been unable to find Freddy's feet other than the early cross and one other time along the sideline.


20th minute - From the right side of the box, Freddy does well to get a little space, and chips in a ball that is headed out for the corner on the right side. Freddy plays a short corner, and it is played back to him, and he beats his defender with a beautiful Cruyff cutback move, and the defender can only trip him for a free kick. The ensuing free kick is sent in dangerously by Freddy, but Panama eventually clears.


30th minute - Freddy plays a nice ball to the right side that springs Eddie Gaven on the side of the box. Freddy continues his run, and Gaven centers back to Adu who is about 10 yards from goal, and Freddy whiffs on the right footed shot. He was under a bit of pressure and it was on his weak foot, but could have done better.


33rd minute - A cross by Gaven is sent in, and headed down in the box. Freddy is the first to the ball and gets a touch to it, and falls down in the box. The ref blows the whistle...but for a foul on Adu. He said Freddy came in with a bit of a high boot. A no call would have been better, no foul, no PK. But the ref blew for a foul on Adu.


42nd minute - Jozy Altidore gets free on a 1v1 breakaway. He rounds the keeper and is brought down by the goalkeeper and earns a penalty. Freddy Adu calmly steps up and hammers it into the far right for a goal! Great penalty, the 'keeper guessed correctly, but had no chance. 1-0 USA.


53rd minute - Freddy does well with his right foot to earn a free kick from about 22 yards out. Teammate Stuart Holden takes it and misses a few feet wide.


55th minute - On a USA throw in, Freddy is just standing there, and a Panama player punches him in the chest for no reason. The refs miss it and Freddy is down for a few minutes and is attended to and comes off. He comes back on a minute later.


73rd minute - Freddy accepts a throw in down in the left corner, and nicely beats two defenders down the end line heading toward goal, he feels more pressure and lays it off to a teammate who is fouled at the corner of the box, just outside. Great stuff there.


93rd minute - Freddy is subbed out. The last 20 minutes or so he had some nice touches but nothing too spectacular. He picked up a yellow for walking off the pitch too slow.

The final whistle blows a minute later and Adu's penalty stands as the game winner, USA 1 Panama 0.


All in all, Adu did not have as good a game as the Cuba game, but even when he was a bit off, he was still one of the top 2 players on the pitch. He showed great skill and vision, a few of his decisions were a bit slow, but were successful anyway. He also could complain to the ref a bit less, but that is just a small detail.

The USA should be ok to advance, even if they lose to Honduras, it is likely Panama will beat Cuba, who have only 11 men on their roster total after the defection of some players. Thus, look for Freddy to come out a bit early in the Honduras game if either team is up by 2 goals, or if it is tied late. Also with Freddy already having a yellow card, and Panama and Cuba playing first, Freddy might be given a rest ahead of the semis. If you recall Cuba has only 11 men after the remaining players defected.

Good game from Adu, a bit less spectacular overall, but solid and even when he is a bit off, he is still one of the best U23 players on the pitch every time.

Thanks again Nick