CARSON, Calif. –Jaime Penedo reached a career milestone with his 100th appearance for Panama on Sunday, but the honor was bittersweet for the LA Galaxy goalkeeper after Los Canaleros dropped a 2-0 defeat to the United States on his home field at StubHub Center.
Penedo was honored pregame by the Panamanian federation with a special Penedo No. 100 jersey to honor his 100 caps for his nation. The 33-year-old goalkeeper is one of only two players to reach the century mark for the Central American country in their nearly 90 year history in international soccer.
Once the game began, however, the smiles quickly left as Penedo and Panama struggled as the U.S. dominated, scoring two goals on the goalkeeper including a Michael Bradley olimpico goal off a corner kick.
“I’m very happy and blessed to receive this honor from my national team, but I know that I still have plenty of work to do,” Penedo told LA Galaxy Insider afterward. “We still have much that we want to accomplish and I want to continue to keep getting better and better.”
Perhaps the most awkward moment of the game came before a ball was kicked however, as Penedo was met with a boos when he entered the net pregame and USMNT goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who is the starter for Galaxy rival Real Salt Lake, was the one cheered by the 20,170 in attendance.
“It was different, but he deserves a lot of cheers here,” Rimando told reporters of Penedo afterward. “He’s done great with the Galaxy and he should be proud, but it felt good to be cheered [at StubHub Center].”
But when asked about the hometown jeers, the Galaxy’s goalkeeper brushed aside any thoughts of frustration. He understood why they came.
“Some people applauded. I heard a few cheers,” Penedo said with a wide smile. “Everyone is rooting for the country though. That reaction is understandable.”
