USA failed to restore a touch of pride in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as the host nation lost to Panama on penalties in tonight's third-place playoff in Pennsylvania.

The hosts fluffed their last three spot-kicks as the clash finished 1-1 after extra time, but Harold Cummings kept his cool to secure a 3-2 shootout win for Panama.

Both sides came into the contest on the back of disappointing semi-final defeats - albeit in contrasting circumstances.

Pre-tournament favourites USA were humbled by Jamaica, while Hernan Dario Gomez's side were rocked by a sense of injustice following their controversial defeat to Mexico.

Consequently, chances were few and far between as both looked short on morale, but USA centre-back Tim Ream raced back to clear Armando Cooper's effort off the line in the closing stages of first half.

Roberto Nurse also wasted a good opportunity as he blasted wide from close range following a low cross from the left-hand side.

However, he found the net early in the second period as he placed the ball into the bottom corner after cutting inside American centre-back John Brooks.

Gabriel Torres almost doubled Panama's lead with a half-volley which flew inches wide, but USA hit back through Clint Dempsey with 20 minutes remaining.

DeAndre Yedlin beat the keeper to the ball down the right and cut it back for the striker to tap into an empty net and force extra time - his seventh goal of the tournament.

There, Jurgen Klinsmann's side came closest to drawing first blood when Chandler's effort whizzed narrowly wide of the post on 96 minutes.

USA's salvation mission would have failed in the second half of extra-time if not for goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who denied Nurse on two occasion as penalties loomed.

With the score at 2-2, Fabian Johnson was the first to buckle, but Cooper followed suit to let the defender off the hook.

However, further misses from Michael Bradley and Damarcus Beasley invited Cummings to settle the affair, and he made no mistake as the hosts finished their campaign with a whimper.