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Yedlin injured, Kitchen inserted in USMNT's 2-0 win over Panama

The U.S. men's national team was back in action on Sunday to take on Panama at Stub Hub Center and it duly dispatched the Panamanians 2-0.

Perry Kitchen fights off a Panamanian attacker during Sunday's friendly.
Perry Kitchen fights off a Panamanian attacker during Sunday's friendly.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The U.S. men's national team got its first win of 2015 with some help from some #MACtion, as the last of the Akron trio who had yet to receive some playing time on the pitch was introduced in the 2-0 win over Panama.

Perry Kitchen, who was drafted with the third overall pick by D.C. United, was the only former Zip who was invited to the U.S. MNT camp who hadn't played in the game against Chile.

DeAndre Yedlin was recalled from training with his new team, Tottenham Hotspur, in England to play for Jürgen Klinsmann while Will Trapp received his first senior-level national team cap during the Chile friendly. Kitchen plays in a similar position to Yedlin, so it's understandable that Klinsmann didn't see fit to use him in the first friendly and honestly, it didn't appear that he'd get his first cap against Panama either.

But then Yedlin went down in the 68th minute under a rough challenge and that forced Klinsmann to make two subs -- one of them being Kitchen.

Kitchen played well in his first game for the senior team, holding Panama to minimal chances in the last 20 minutes of the game. This was especially important because the USMNT had given up nine goals in the last 20 minutes of the game in the last few games, so it was imperative that Kitchen didn't slip up.

Klinsmann also inserted natural right back Matt Hedges and he and Kitchen did well to lock down the right flank. Up to that point, the U.S. team was dominant in possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Much of that stability had to do with the reversion back to a 4-2-3-1 and putting Yedlin, among others, in their proper positions.

With Yedlin returning to his original right back role, he was able to do what he does best: use his pace to beat opponents on both ends of the pitch.

Before he was injured, Yedlin tracked the Panamanians well, covering the right flank well before using his speed to get past defenders and send in dangerous crosses into the box.

Other former Akron star Will Trapp remained on the bench for this fixture after receiving some solid time against Chile.

If Yedlin can recover from his leg injury, which Klinsmann said wasn't serious, then he has the best chance of being recalled into the international squad. But Kitchen and Trapp made a solid impression on the U.S. coach and the #MACtion trio could all be back in action when Team USA plays Denmark on March 25.