USMNT "sticking to the plan" ahead of latest Panama showdown
06/25/2024 06:28 PM
The U.S. men’s national team’s second Copa America group stage match will certainly be tougher than the first, especially with a CONCACAF rival opposing them at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday.
Panama awaits the USMNT in Atlanta, Georgia in the first head-to-head matchup since July 2023. Thomas Christiansen’s squad eliminated the Americans from the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals last summer, which ended the USMNT’s hopes of repeating as champions of the tournament.
Many of the current USMNT squad were also part of a 1-0 World Cup Qualifying loss to Panama back in 2021, the first for the U.S. ever on Panamanian soil. The USMNT will be favored to get a result on Thursday, but knows how tough the matchup will be.
“They bring man-to-man pressure,” USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner said of Panama. “They’re a team that has a lot of really talented players and athletes. It’s to be expected, a physical game, really competitive.”
“We don’t know which Panama team we’re going to get,” winger Tim Weah said. “We’re just going to come out 100% and not take anything for granted, put all our cards on the table, and make sure we execute.”
The USMNT edged Bolivia 2-0 on Sunday in Arlington, Texas, using first-half goals from Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun to earn three points. Matt Turner was rarely troubled by the Bolivia attack, while Pulisic, Balogun, and left back Antonee Robinson were among the bright spots in Gregg Berhalter’s squad.
Panama however suffered a 3-1 loss to Group C favorites Uruguay despite being down by one goal up until the 85th minute. Plenty of their key leaders will need to be important against the USMNT including Aldaberto Carrasquilla, Edgar Barcenas, and Michael Murillo.
The USMNT now has three matches under their belt this month and after earning their first victory, confidence is high among the group as they try to exact revenge against Panama.
“We’re honestly just sticking to the plan,” Weah said. “We’ve had this gameplan since day one. We stay true, we’re intentional with the way that we play. We’re a team now that understands each other, and I think we’re starting to see that a lot more as we’re getting into these other games and as we’re getting older as a group.
“I think it’s just a beautiful thing to see us growing as a unit, as a family. We’re starting to show it on the field,” he added. “We just have to continue positive performances.”
