Minnesota United FC midfielder Miguel Ibarra started his first match with the U.S. men’s national soccer team in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Panama in Carson, Calif.

Ibarra, who grew up in nearby Lancaster, Calif., played on the left side during the friendly match. He didn’t score but often had a positive impact on the play until he exited in the 79th minute.

At halftime of the ESPN telecast, coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Ibarra and his other young players have lived up to what they’ve shown in training camp.

“They are hungry,” Klinsmann said. “They want to do well. They want to take people on, and they want to take risks.”

Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey each scored in the first half to help end a five-match winless streak for the U.S.

Ibarra didn’t play in the previous U.S. friendly against Chile on Jan. 28. His only other national team appearance came in stoppage time against Honduras on Oct. 14.

Ibarra won the North American Soccer League’s MVP award for the 2014 season. He scored nine goals in 27 appearances for United last season.

Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/andygreder.