The U.S. men’s national team faces Panama in their second Copa America group-stage match, aiming to secure a knockout round spot. Revenge for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final loss adds extra motivation.
Bollywood Fever: The United States faces Panama in their second group-stage match of the Copa America on Thursday, aiming to build on their historical dominance over their CONCACAF rivals. Despite past successes, the U.S. team is approaching the game with caution.
A win would secure the U.S. a spot in the knockout round following their 2-0 victory over Bolivia in Sunday’s opener, easing the pressure for their final group match against Uruguay. Additionally, the U.S. team seeks to avenge their loss to Panama in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals, a defeat that remains fresh in their minds.
“They beat us in the Gold Cup semi-final last year with a pretty good performance,” U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner noted. “They bring man-to-man pressure, they’re a team with many talented players and athletes. We’re expecting a physical and competitive game. We know how good Panama is, and it’s going to be a real test for us.”
Despite the sting of the Gold Cup loss, the U.S. boasts a dominant 17-2-7 record against Panama. They aim to build on their win over Bolivia, where first-half goals by Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun secured an early lead, though they were held scoreless in the second half.
The match will be held at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Atlanta United, known for its passionate fan base. “It feels good to be in Atlanta,” Turner said. “I’ve played in MLS for several years, and this is one of the away games you really didn’t ever want to play, especially when they first came into the league.”
Atlanta United set attendance records upon joining the North American league in 2017, establishing the city as a major hub for soccer fandom in the U.S. Additionally, the U.S. Soccer Federation’s first-ever national training center is set to open in the greater Atlanta area in 2026.
“We know that the fan turnout at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is really good, and we’re hoping to see some of that energy from the crowd on Thursday night,” Turner added.
Also Check Related Articles: Emma Raducanu Upsets No. 2 Seed Jessica Pegula at Rothesay International
Jurickson Profar and Manny Machado Power Padres to 9-7 Victory Over Nationals
Denmark Advances to Euro 2024 Knockout Stage Despite Draw Against Serbia
