US, Panama play to 1-1 draw in CONCACAF Gold Cup match

Sporting Park is electric as the USMNT takes the field for warmups.

MNT captain Michael Bradley recognized the challenge that Panama, who has drawn both of its matches against Haiti and Honduras, will bring in Monday’s Group finale.

Starting Lineups have been announced. Gyasi Zardes and Chris Wondolowski partnered up front in place of Aron Johannsson and Jozy Altidore.

Panama will be desperately looking for a victory as that would all but guarantee the team a place in the quarterfinals. Honduras seemed like the more confident team, but it ultimately came down to USA’s utilization of their set pieces that provided them with the victory.

Jurgen Klinsmann is seen in this file photo.

Monday’s showdown will be pit the top two teams in Group A. The Americans are 2-0, and lead the group with six points while Panama is 0-0-2 with two points. He now has eight career Gold Cup goals, which is tied for third on the USMNT’s all-time scoring list for the competition.

As a reminder of what is on the line here in the Gold Cup.

PRESSURE’S ON PANAMA: After blowing 1-0 leads in both of their previous matches, Los Canaleros need a positive result against the Yanks to be sure of advancement.

Panama has scored a goal in each of the two previous games. Thereafter, Panama drawed with Honduras 1-1 and U.S. beat Haiti in their second battle. The team’s best performing player is Clint Dempsey who scored all 3 goals for the US so far in the group stage, but he and Michael Bradley might rest. Especially in competition play, survive and advance is the sweetest concept, regardless of how you get there.

Right away, their speed and creativity made a difference. On the counter, John Brooks picked up a yellow card and will miss the next match. Adolfo Machado received a yellow in each of the first two matches and will serve his suspension as well.

There were also three changes for Honduras after their 1-1 draw against Panama, with Mario Martinez, Alfredo Mejia and Erick Andino coming in for Henry Figueroa, Carlos Discua and Bryan Acosta.

“Graham got a little knock in the game against Honduras”. Whoever scores more on the day will earn the tiebreaker and advance. Honduras now has a negative one goal differential while Panama has a zero goal differential.

Panama features three players from Major League Soccer.

For full coverage of the Haiti versus Honduras match, please check out Vavel USA’s live coverage here.

Published July 13, 2015 ” Will Panama manage to get out of a tight spot in tonight’s CONACAF Gold Cup group game against the USA? United States of America in turn has five wins in their last five matches.

If not, the USA will once again crippled Panama’s hopes.

It might not be the World Cup, but the Gold Cup is still a big deal.