The CONCACAF Gold Cup has now reached the final four and USA take on Panama midweek in the semi-finals at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego.
Key Takeaways
- USA are playing in their 11th consecutive Gold Cup semi-finals after defeating Canada on penalties in the quarter-finals last time out
- Panama are playing in their fifth Gold Cup semi-finals after they easily dispatched Qatar in the quarter-finals
- Los Canaleros forward Ismael Diaz bagged a hat-trick against Qatar to put his side in the final four
Defending champions USA will be searching to reach their fourth consecutive Gold Cup final when they take on Thomas Christiansen’s Panama. Los Canaleros are playing in their first semi-final at the tournament since 2015 and are looking for their maiden Gold Cup title.
USA Form
Penalty shootout drama between USA and Canada saw the Stars and Stripes just about get past their neighbours to make it to the final four. Regulation time provided plenty of theatre too as Brandon Vazquez’s 88th minute opener was cancelled out in injury time by Steven Vitoria from the spot.
An extra time goal from Jacob Shaffelburg looked as though he would be sending his Canucks side into the semi-finals but an own goal from Scott Kennedy drew the scores level once more. It would be heartbreak for the Canadians in the shootout as a penalty miss by Charles-Andreas Brym meant USA were able to advance.
B. J. Callahan’s men are yet to be defeated in the competition and, after drawing their opening group match 1-1 with Jamaica, went on to deliver 6-0 blows to Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago.
Panama Form
Christiansen’s side eased into the semi-finals of the competition with a 4-0 rout over Qatar in the quarter-finals. So too are Panama undefeated in the tournament thus far and found victories in their opening group matches against Costa Rica and Martinique.
Despite drawing 2-2 with El Salvador in their final group match, Panama were able to secure top spot in Group C to reach the knockouts. That set them up with a favourable draw against Qatar in the quarter-finals.
Los Canaleros are yet to win a Gold Cup title but have a good chance at at least equalling their best ever finish if they are to progress here. Panama reached the final of both the 2005 and 2013 editions but lost to the US on both occasions.
Head-to-Head
Panama will certainly be hoping for revenge for the aforementioned final defeats, especially since they also lost the last time they met the USA in Gold Cup action back in the group stage of the 2019 tournament.
The last clash between the two nations ended in a 5-1 victory for the Stars and Stripes too as they met in World Cup qualification last March. Los Canaleros have found the win just once in their last eight meetings so recent history seems to be favouring the USA.
Team News
USA teenager Jalen Neal was forced off against Canada due to a groin injury and so he is in doubt to feature here. That could see either Aaron Long or Matt Miazga come into the lineup.
Roderick Miller dropped to the bench for Panama’s last match as Andres Andrade came into the lineup. Andrade will be expected to keep his spot in the side once more. The experienced Harold Cummings and Anibal Godoy are expected to continue as part of the spine.
Key Players
USA goalkeeper Matt Turner was the star of the show against Canada as he made two saves from the penalty spot to ensure victory in the shootout for B. J. Callahan’s side. The Arsenal ‘keeper was also named Man of the Match for his heroics.
Diaz has now taken his tally at this year’s Gold Cup to four after he scored a hat-trick against Qatar last time out. The 26-year-old forward will therefore be full of confidence heading into the match.
How to watch on TV or Online
Those in the UK can watch the Gold Cup semi-final between USA and Panama live on Viaplay Sports 1.
Final Thoughts
USA are favoured to triumph in this encounter but it won’t be easy against a Panama side who are in excellent form. There should be plenty of goals here in what is likely an action-packed affair.
Gold Cup