USA vs Panama Predictions

• Panama have won only one of 14 previous meetings with the USA
• The USA are the Gold Cup’s topscorers with 14 goals
• Both teams have score in three of Panama’s four Gold Cup matches

Star and Stripes have something to prove

The USA’s run to a 12th consecutive Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final has been far from convincing and they face being given another scare, albeit a minor one, by Panama.

The Stars and Stripes needed an extra-time own goal and penalties to see off Canada in a slow-burner of a quarter-final as they rode their luck for the second time at this tournament.

BJ Callaghan’s men were grateful for a missed penalty in their 1-1 draw with Jamaica in their Gold Cup opener before then going on put 12 past Trinidad & Tobago and St Kitts & Nevis combined.

Semi-final opponents Panama are somewhere between the two sides the USA have thrashed and Canada and Jamaica, and should at least grab a goal in San Diego.

Canal Men may sink in semi showdown

Only the USA have scored more goals than Panama at this tournament with the Canal Men putting four past Qatar in the quarter-finals.

They’d previously beaten Costa Rica and Martinique and drawn with El Salvador in the group stage, so the States represent a big step up in class.

Panama’s record against the USA makes for grim reading with the Yanks running out 5-1 winners the last time the sides met in World Cup qualifying last year.

An understrength USA team is unlikely to record as emphatic a victory but their attacking nature could see them record a 3-1 win over Panama, who are capable of scoring for the fourth meeting in a row with the United States.

Ismael Diaz has bagged four goals for Panama at the Gold Cup, while Jose Fajardo has netted twice and it is the latter that appeals as an anytime scorer punt having previously netted a brace against the USA.