Panama x United States: where to watch, lineups, refereeing

Photo: Arte Jogada10

Panama tries to surprise hosts the United States this Thursday

The United States, hosts of the Copa America and leaders of Group C, will face Panama this Thursday at 7pm (Brasilia time) at the Mercedes Benz Arena, Atlanta (USA). The US team beat Bolivia 2-0 in its first match, so in case of a win it should confirm its qualification to the quarter-finals. But the Panamanians, who sold their defeat to Uruguay (3-1) dearly, hope for a surprise.

The second round of Group C is completed with the game between Bolivia and Uruguay at 10 pm (Brasilia time) in New Jersey.

Where to watch

SporTV airs at 7pm (Brasília time).

What is Panama like?

As if the series of absences that plague his team (Waterman, Escobar, Andrés Andrade and Aníbal Godoy) were not enough, coach Thomas Christiansen already knows that he will not be able to count on one of his main players, Puma Rodríguez. After all, against Uruguay, the prop, one of the best on the field, injured his left shoulder and had to go out. Test results indicate that he will miss the next two matches. Gondola (who replaced him) and Ayarza are fighting for this place. The rest of the lineup should be the same one that started the defeat to Uruguay

How is the United States?

Many of the questions for coach Greg Behalter were about the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Arena. After all, the Argentine players who played there in their first match complained about the poor condition of the field with artificial turf. The coach said it is a concern, but only to a small extent, because he believes the field will be much better for this Thursday’s match. His biggest focus is on how the team will behave against a traditional rival that has been giving them trouble in Concacaf in recent years.

READ John Lewis: Former presidents be a part of tributes to civil rights icon

“We know Panama very well. In fact, they have already played a trick on us once during the Gold Cup. I expect them to expect victory like us, but it will definitely not be an easy game” said the coach, who will maintain the basis of the first game.

For goalkeeper Matt Turner, if the US team wants to win again, they will have to show more impressive football than they did against Bolivia, where they won despite not playing great.

“This game with Panama will be a real test for our team. We won the first match, but we have to show better football if we want to win this second game”, Turner said.