Sure, the USA eradicated Panama from World Cup competition a year-and-a-half in the past. However no, the Canaleros aren’t obsessing over that truth within the construct as much as as we speak’s pleasant on the StubHub Heart.
BY
Jon Arnold
Posted
February 08, 2015
9:51 AM
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CARSON, Calif.—The Central American press sometimes has an extended reminiscence than we do.
Whereas most American soccer journalists reside in Now World, specializing in absolutely the newest developments of the U.S. nationwide workforce, our counterparts in Panama, Costa Rica, and elsewhere within the area are likely to obsess over historic targets, stats from earlier match-ups, and long-distant performs.
So I used to be a bit stunned once I walked into Panama coaching and requested TVMax’s Ricardo Icaza for the within scoop on the Caneleros. I used to be certain that the 2 U.S. targets that spawned disappointment and despair for a footballing nation on the rise could be entrance of thoughts. I’d figured the U.S. knocking Panama out of 2014 World Cup qualification in a match that was subsequent to meaningless for the People could be dominating headlines today.
“What have the big themes been in the build up?” I requested Icaza. “Revenge?”
“Nah,” Icaza replied. “Getting ready for the Gold Cup and getting the younger players involved.”
Evidently Panama has moved on from the USA knocking it out of World Cup qualification with two late targets and is approaching Sunday’s pleasant (4pm ET; ESPN, UniMas, UDN) with most of the identical targets as the USA. The distinction is perhaps that Panama’s youngest gamers are nonetheless round and will even be higher than the People.
One member of Panama’s U-20 aspect—which defeated Tab Ramos’ workforce on the CONCACAF Championships in January—will begin: 20-year-old middle again Fidel Escobar. He’ll be partnered by one other younger participant, 22-year-old Harold Cummings, who performs within the Colombian high flight with Santa Fe.
However Panama supervisor Hernan Gomez referred to as his Beginning XI “a mix,” with veterans like Jaime Penedo—set to win his one centesimal cap when he takes the StubHub Heart area—and Blas Perez additionally within the beginning lineup.
The workforce will even characteristic two transformed midfielders. Sporting San Miguelito left again Erick Davis is about to play on the left aspect of midfield the place Gomez stated he hopes he’ll make the most of his velocity and crossing potential to bother the U.S. protection. Alfredo Stephens, sometimes a ahead, might be taking part in a extra withdrawn position.
Gomez stated he’d arrange the pleasant schedule to verify Panama isn’t the favourite in any matches till reaching the Gold Cup, with some reporters impressed and a bit involved with Panama beginning the yr with an away match in opposition to a regional energy.
Panama is 0-0-4 in opposition to the USA within the Jurgen Klinsmann period, however all 4 contests gave the People hassle. So an upset risk from Central America is one thing that the U.S. is searching for—particularly with some unknown portions within the beginning lineup.
“Panama, we’ve had some good battles over the last two or three years. It seems like we always face them somehow, Gold Cup, big World Cup qualifying games,” U.S. defender Matt Besler stated earlier than coaching Saturday. “I really feel like they’re a bunch that’s been collectively for a protracted, very long time.
“I’ve seen their roster, and it looks like there’s some completely different guys now, so to be sincere with you there’s going to be a couple of query marks on the market. Apart from, 4 or 5 of the veteran guys, there’s going to be some new faces. I assume it’s thrilling from that facet.”
Klinsmann too is cautious of the risk and is aware of he should have his workforce prepared with the workforce within the midst of a tough run of outcomes.
“Over the last six, seven, eight years, you could see Panama kind of getting stronger and stronger in our region, and they confirmed that in the last World Cup qualifying cycle,” he stated at Saturday’s information convention. “If it wasn’t for us, , they’d’ve gone to Brazil. Sadly within the final two minutes, for them, issues ended up the unsuitable approach. However you possibly can see that they’re very hungry, that they’re wanting to make a breakthrough.
“They have a very, very good pool of young players coming though – they just confirmed that in under-20 World Cup qualifying there, they did very well. So there’s a lot of respect from our end there.”
Icaza needed the within scoop on the People as properly, although I wasn’t in a position to give him Sunday’s beginning lineup and even share what formation the U.S. will line up in.
Gomez stated that whether or not the USA goes three on the again or shifts into 4, Panama will nonetheless attempt to produce the identical outcomes, demanding his gamers concentrate on fulfilling their very own roles and taking part in good soccer.
That’s what the Panamanian press might be hoping to see, with dialogue already centering round which younger gamers can solidify roster spots for the Gold Cup or within the fall’s World Cup qualifiers. (Gomez famous that he’s unlikely to make use of a participant in a World Cup qualifier if he hasn’t already examined him out in winter and spring friendlies.)
For this match, at the least, the Panamanian media protection isn’t so completely different from the American. Which younger guys will change getting old stars? How will the workforce put together for the massive tournaments? The U.S. and Panama hope to reply the identical questions Sunday.
What are your predictions for the match? What do you need to see? What do you count on to see? Inform us within the Feedback beneath.
Jon Arnold hosts the ASN Podcast in 10 or 15 Minutes and is a frequent contributor. Comply with him on Twitter.
