U.S. Men's National Team vs. Panama
CONCACAF Gold Cup Group stage
Saturday, July 8 | 3:30 p.m. CT | FOX, Univision, UDN
Nissan Stadium | Nashville, Tennessee
MLSsoccer.com Gold Cup Central
It's finally here. With CONCACAF Gold Cup action kicking off this weekend, the U.S. Men's National Team turns its attention to a Saturday afternoon showcase with Panama.
With an all-time record of 11-1-5 against Panama, the Yanks will try to continue their success against one of the toughest matchups they’ll encounter in the group stage. Three Sporting KC members are set to make an impact on an important group stage match.
Zusi Approaching Milestone
Sporting KC defender Graham Zusi currently sits at fourth on the current U.S. MNT roster in terms of international caps with 49. He trails only Tim Howard (116), Alejandro Bedoya (62) and Brad Guzan (56).
Ahead of Saturday’s match against Panama, Zusi is just one appearance shy of joining the 50-cap-club, a milestone that only 51 American players have been able to accomplish.
Zusi’s debut with the red, white and blue occurred in January 2012. Ever since, he has been a consistent contributor for the United States. His continued success even resulted in him being named captain for a Jan. 29 friendly against Serbia.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s matchup, Zusi is probably not one of the most well-liked U.S. MNT members in the eyes of Panama soccer fans, as they remember him for his 92nd-minute equalizing header that obliterated a raucous Panama crowd in the 2014 World Cup qualifying rounds. Tomorrow, Zusi will try to help slow down a Panama offense that is coming off of a two-goal performance in its last match against Honduras.
Dwyer’s Dream Continues
Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer has only been a U.S. citizen for a short four months, but his American dream has already come true.
After years of wanting to play for the U.S. MNT, Dwyer finally received the call to play in the squad’s friendly against Ghana last Saturday. The English-born forward had multiple scoring chances fall at his feet early on in the match, but it wasn’t until the 19th minute when a deflected ball was met by Dwyer’s left foot and subsequently lasered into the back of the net. This goal made Dwyer the 48th American player to ever score in an international debut.
His performance against the Ghanaian national team received praise from U.S. head coach Bruce Arena, who applauded his work ethic and his ability to create chances.
Arena just might reward Dwyer with another chance to prove himself as a starting forward against Panama. The two sides met earlier this year in a World Cup qualifier, but neither team was able to pull ahead, as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Dwyer will attempt to be the difference maker this time around.
Besler Buys for Starting Spot
After starting in the club’s last match against Ghana, Sporting KC defender Matt Besler will look to once again get the start in central defense for the Americans. Some of the others competing for a spot in central defense will be Omar Gonzalez and Matt Hedges.
Besler’s showing on Saturday will mark his 41st cap for the U.S. MNT, making him the second-most experienced member of the American backline behind only his Sporting KC teammate Zusi.
Besler helped limit Ghana to only three shots on goal last Saturday. The stingy American defense has consistently proved to be a difficulty for opposing teams to break through, allowing only four goals during the midst of the U.S. MNT’s current eight-game-unbeaten streak.
USA Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (New York City FC)
DEFENDERS (8): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca, MEX), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest, ENG), Matt Miazga (Chelsea, ENG), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, MEX), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana, MEX), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana, MEX), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
Panama Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jose Calderon (CD Marathon, HON); Orlando Mosquera (Tauro FC, PAN); Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco FC, PAN)
DEFENDERS (8): Roberto Chen (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN); Eric Davis (FC DAC 1904 DunajskA Streda, SVK); Fidel Escobar (Unattached); Roderick Miller (Atlético Nacional, COL); Michael Amir Murillo (New York Red Bulls, USA); Luis Ovalle (Unattached); Angel Patrick (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN); Jan Carlos Vargas (Tauro FC, PAN)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Edgar Yoel Barcenas (Cafetaleros de Tapachula, MEX); Miguel Camargo (New York City FC, USA); Armando Cooper (Toronto FC, CAN); Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes, USA); Gabriel Gomez (Atlético Bucaramanga, COL); Leslie Heraldez (Deportivo Arabe Unido, PAN); Josiel Nuñez (CD Plaza Amador, PAN); Valentin Pimentel (CD Plaza Amador, PAN)
FORWARDS (4): Abdiel Arroyo (Danubio FC, URU); Ricardo Clarke (Unattached); Ismael Diaz (FC Porto, POR); Gabriel Torres (FC Lausanne-Sport, SUI)
