The United States men's national team beat Panama 3-0 in an exhibition match Sunday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., giving Gregg Berhalter a successful debut as head coach.
Berhalter fielded a youthful lineup and made New York Red Bulls center back Aaron Long, 26, team captain for the first time in what was his fourth appearance for the U.S.
“In working with Aaron the last two and a half weeks, you see his quality. Every exercise we do, he's competitive, he's driving guys, he's pushing guys — and we like that,” Berhalter said during the postgame news conference, adding that he did speak with veteran Michael Bradley prior to the match about giving Long the armband.